StandardLife&Style caught up with members of this outfit while in their home town of Marondera and they took time to shed more light on their musical journey and endeavours.
Founded in 2007 by the late Nixon Sauchi and Trust Mutombo, this ensemble is steadily rising to the top of the industry and has today become a household name in Marondera.
This outfit plays a lively blend of Afro-centric music enhanced by melodious female voices and calls its music “afro Shangara” as it derives from a traditional music style from their region called Shangara, from which they derive their name.
Club Shanga’s road to Music Crossroads fame began when they took part in the Chibuku Road to Fame competition in 2007.
“We were simply outclassed but perseverance, team work, commitment and humility kept us together,” said Mutombo.
That same year the group lost out again to Mookomba during the Music crossroads National Finals.
“It was devastating but we continued rehearsing and this time we were well-prepared to take it to the next level hence we proved this by winning the national finals held in Zambia.
“Three years later, we finally achieved our dream and won the inter-regional finals in Tanzania.
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“It was not easy, we faced a lot of challenges along the way in securing instruments and at first we didn’t even have a manager.
“Before rising to the limelight we were a bit cautious and because of the way things were going, no one was really prepared to take a risk.
“However, that win boosted our moral and this time we were headed for greater heights and we set out to tour Spain. When we were left by a week to embark on the tour, we started facing challenges again,” recalls Mutombo.
“It was disappointing and we sat there in the rehearsal room thinking that we were no longer going anywhere and the tour wasn’t going to materialise.
However it might never have been easier without Music Crossroads director Mathius Bangure who actually was the man on the ground. He kept encouraging us to not lose hope. Finally we left for Spain and we all had an awesome experience considering that for most of us it was the first time we were boarding a plane. First we got to Nairobi and from there we went to Amsterdam.” he said
“Upon arrival in Barcelona the reception we got was simply exclusive and the people had a great appreciation for our culture and this could be seen through their articulation of Africa.
“We did our first workshop at some home that shelters the physically and mentally challenged.
“What excited us the most was that despite the language barrier, these people were organised and had charts written in Shona and even welcomed us in song, eloquently mimicking Oliver Mtukudzi’s song, Ndakuvara.
“Our concerts were successful and we performed before full houses at all our shows.
“We had the chance to visit Barcelona’s home ground, the Nou Camp and other resort areas in Spain.
“With the support of Music Crossroads we managed to see our dreams coming true and we are humbled to realise that it is through this institution that we came from grassroots to an international platform,” said Mutombo.
