Zimbabwe’s creative industry continues to evolve with some artists defying single-definition labels.
Saxophonist and photographer, Tino Mananga's dual artistic practice has positioned him as a distinctive voice in live performance and visual storytelling.
Mananga’s journey into music is rooted in church ministry and mentorship within the Celebration Church ecosystem, where figures such as Pastor Bonnie Deuschle and saxophonist Tatenda Mutuwa played important roles in shaping his direction during the formative period of his career.
Before taking up the saxophone, however, rhythm defined his early creative life.
He began as a drummer in childhood, a foundation that later influenced his timing, phrasing and musical sensitivity.
His transition to the saxophone came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the church leadership called for the strengthening of the brass section.
“I became a saxophonist through two very influential people — Pastor Bonnie Deuschle and Tatenda Mutuwa. Pastor Bonnie said she needed more saxophonists. Tatenda was the main saxophonist and he took me under his wing and trained me,” Mananga recalled.
As restrictions eased, Mananga formalised his musical development at Music Crossroads Academy, refining skills that mentorship and practice had nurtured.
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While music came first, photography followed closely. His visual journey began in high school, emerging from an early passion for painting that gradually evolved into image-making.
“What came first was music,” he told NewsDay Life & Style.
“Photography started in high school. I had been painting, then I moved into photography.”
Mananga’s entry to professional photography was organic and rooted in concert environments he had access to as a musician. He began by voluntarily capturing performances and sharing images with fellow creatives, gradually building experience and reputation.
“I would voluntarily shoot concerts I already had access to, then share the images with people I met,” he said.
A defining feature of Mananga’s career is his ability to perform as a saxophonist while simultaneously working as a photographer — a rare dual role on the Zimbabwe creative scene. This balance, he says, is made possible through structure and teamwork under his agency, Simply Art Creative Agency.
“The goal was to establish a machine that could function independently of my personal input but still carried my creative vision,” he said.
At events, the artist often works with a small team while shifting seamlessly between roles.
“I might be playing saxophone while my team shoots. Sometimes I personally take the camera for key moments,” he said.
Musically, Mananga says he is still evolving, grounded in jazz and R&B influences. His inspirations include Moses Kumalo, Thelonious Monk, Cannonball Adderley and South African vocalist Tandozide, alongside performance influences such as Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana.
“I’m still discovering my sound because you’re constantly learning. But these influences shape how I phrase my lines,” he said.
In photography, his work spans concerts, portraits, food photography and real estate.
“Photography started with concerts because it was the easiest entry point. Then I moved into portraits, food photography because I love food and then real estate,” Mananga said.
As his creative agency expanded, commercial work — particularly food and property photography — became more prominent, while portrait work shifted towards selective, referral-based assignments.
Among his most notable assignments are cultural and institutional events such as Leg of Men by Ellard and Sharon Cherayi, a farewell dinner for former Sports minister Kirsty Coventry and European Union National Day celebrations. As a performer, one standout moment was playing at a wedding at Wild Geese Lodge, and several other significant live appearances.
Despite his achievements, Mananga acknowledges the emotional imprint of his work. One photograph, now lost, remains especially memorable.
“I photographed a young man resting at the back of a truck in Hatcliffe. He was exhausted. That image stayed with me,” he said.
Looking ahead, Mananga is preparing an instrumental project aimed at creating reflective, calming music for listeners seeking relaxation and peace of mind.
“It’s for someone to listen to while they relax — good music for peace of mind,” he said.
Through sound and image, Mananga continues to shape a growing creative footprint — one defined by discipline, adaptability and an increasingly influential dual artistic identity.
