Capota School of the blind grooms stars

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Zimbabwe has witnessed the rise of young musicians who stole the limelight after being nurtured by established artistes.

Zimbabwe has witnessed the rise of young musicians who stole the limelight after being nurtured by established artistes. Report by Jairos Saunyama

Such musicians include Rute Mbangwa, Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana and Diana Samkange, who were nurtured by Township Jazz artist, Ernest Tanga WekwaSando, Que Montana, nurtured by the late Andy Brown and Munya Mataruse, nurtured by Oliver Mtukudzi, among others.

Those that nurtured the young artists should be commended for a job well-done. Besides individual groomers, there have been institutions that have also helped bring out good crops of musicians.

One of such institutions is the Capota School of the Blind, which has produced some established musicians in the country. Situated in the historical town of Masvingo, the institution has given birth to some of the best musicians in the country. Below are some of the musicians who hailed from Capota.

Paul Matavire He is undoubtedly one of the best musicians ever to exist on the local soil. Matavire is a product of Capota, where he was enrolled because he was visually-impaired

He was a songwriter who hailed from Mwenezi and rose to prominence in the 1980s when he joined the Jairos Jiri Band. His hit song Dhiyabhorosi Nyoka, stirred much controversy on its release because of its reference to the biblical Eve and women in general, as the root cause of every man’s troubles.

He is also remembered for his willingness to experiment with the Shona language in his songs, coining phrases that have remained part of everyday conversation. Unfortunately, he had no children nor a band member to carry forward his legacy.

Chamunorwa Nebeta The late musician was the leader of the popular Glare Express — a musical ensemble that was known for its fast sungura beat. Nebeta was also trained at Capota and was at one point one of Matavire’s backing vocalists.

The visually-impaired artist is well-known for the songs Tambai Mese Mujairane, which was also accompanied by a video, Zero Centimetres Apart and Madhiri, among others.

In the early 90s, the group would tour Masvingo, playing at townships and growth points for coins. Usually, they would stay at a place for weeks.

The group played unsophisticated home-made guitars and drums and imitated the late Paul Matavire and David Mabvuramiti. But as time passed, he became a well-known musician after releasing the album Taurai Save. He died in his home area, Bikita, at the age of 35 in 2007.

David Mabvuramiti He is undoubtedly one of the best gospel artists in Zimbabwe and he set the pace for most praise and worship teams in the country.

Mabvuramiti was a student at Capota the same time as Paul Matavire. By then, Mabvuramiti had problems with his eyesight before regaining it a few years ago.

The Chikomba Muwadhiropu hitmaker took over the reins at the Jairos Jiri Band in 1991 after Matavire was imprisoned, before resigning in 1997.

Mabvuramiti said he had self-introspected that same year after holding an electric show in Gokwe, where it was reported that 17 girls were impregnated after the crowd was syched up by his lyrics.

He was taught to play the guitar and piano by musician Fanyana Dube. Mabvuramiti’s massive debut recording was the 1991 single Chikomba Muwadhiropu, that told the story of an adulterer caught in the act.

In 2003 he received back his sight after Pastor Ezekiel Guti prayed for him during one of the church’s conferences. He is well-known for the praise song Mune Simba Muropa Rajesu.

Today, Mabvuramiti is a pastor, whose music is all about God and salvation.

Munyaradzi Munodawafa The partially-blind musician, who hails from Masvingo, is one of the best gospel artists in the country.

He is also a product of Capota School of the blind and his song Zodzo from his latest album Zvava Nezodzo, was voted the Gospel Song of the Year for 2012 on Radio Zimbabwe.

Munodawafa is also one of the best keyboardists in the country and his playing skills have entertained many people. He was born in 1988 and many will remember him as the young boy who mesmerised gospel music fans with his keyboard playing skills at live shows and his hit song, Shandisa Chipo Chako.

He released his first album Mwari Anoona in 1998 at the age of 10. Munodawafa went to the United States in 1999 for his studies and returned to Zimbabwe in 2005. He released Farai Munashe in 2006, before he disappeared from the music scene. Munodawafa made a dramatic return in 2010, with the album Zvinouraya, which received commendable airplay on local radio stations.

Ownstar thrilling fans in Masvingo

Ownstar Munodawafa He is a young brother to Munyaradzi and is currently at Capota.

The 12-year-old musician, who like his brother Munyaradzi is partially blind, is dazzling people in his hometown of Masvingo.

Through collaborations with his brother, he is proving to be a force to reckon with.

This was confirmed by the young artist’s performance at the Heroesplush gala held in Gutu in August last year.

His performance, keyboard skills and voice projection resemble that of a young Munyaradzi back in 1998.

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