Pastor Leonard Zhakata won’t quit music
By Bruce Chimani
BULAWAYO – Popularly known for his hits Mugove and Upenyu Mutoro, Leonard Karikoga Zhakata is one of the country’s most prolific musicians whose lyrical depth has managed to see him remain afloat in an industry punctuated by fierce competition.
Backed by a talented pleasant-sounding posse, The Zimbabwe All Stars Band and a well-choreographed dance show, many of Zhakata’s hit-songs were regulars on people’s playlists during the time he released Mugove in 1994.
Albums that followed thereafter, which included Nzombe Huru, Vagoni Vebasa, and many others, established Zhakata within Zimbabwean music households.
Over the years, a lot of things have happened and a lot of chit-chat has circulated in the media (most of which Zhakata is not pleased with) especially after he started attending Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa’s United Family International Church (UFIC).
Now a pastor, Zhakata expressed how living life for Jesus was more satisfactory and mourned how the media had handled his association with UFIC, with some media circles slandering his person and the church.
“I really wonder how people view things sometimes. What has been said about me since I became a part of the prophet’s (Makandiwa) church especially by the media in Harare is disheartening. I am a Christian just like any other person. Why does it have to be scandalised simply because I am Leonard Zhakata?” he queries.
Zhakata was in Bulawayo this past week attending the funeral of his producer, Tymon Mabaleka, who died in Harare two weeks ago. Mabaleka was close to Zhakata as he was responsible for his illustrious career by mentoring him to be the household name he is.
“This man was an amazing man. He had such a big heart and was very helpful in my career. I am what I am because of Mabaleka. I was actually expecting that his body would even pass through Babourfields Stadium because he was that big a figure. He was a man full of jokes and he was always a happy man. He is legendary. We have lost a great man,” he said.
Speaking of his path of life, the Batai Mazwi and Gomba Remarara hitmaker, said he was already a Christian in 1993 even before Mugove became a hit in 1994.
“I went to AFM for a while and then the late Biggie Tembo took me to Upper Room Ministries and I was there until I left for UFIC. I live my life for God and everything I do has to be to His glory.
“My last album Zvangu Zvaita was produced by the man we came to pay our last respects to. It’s a mixture of some of the old songs and the new ones. It’s an album for both my gospel fans and fans who I used to make music for back in the days,” he said.
The seven-track album whose sound was engineered by the late Mabaleka, includes the songs Dhonza Makomborero, Ishe Anesu, Dollar Boy, Rutendo Kunashe, Dofo Pahunhu, Wakarimira Vamwe and Chapter Yerudo.
With 19 albums under his belt, Zhakata is set to blaze the trail once again on the gospel music scene.
Contrary to what people have been saying that the Mugove hitmaker is finished, Zhakata said he was still in the game and promised his fans more.
“The next project will most likely be a collaboration album with other artistes from UFIC,” he revealed.
In 2012, Zhakata was selected Goodwill Ambassador of the Zimbabwe Rural Schools Library Trust and is expected to work with other musicians to record an album to encourage the development of school libraries in the country. Sunday News
