She is one of those people who were simply born for the stage. If you have been to Jah Prayzah’s shows, you would have seen the signature smile on Fatima “Stimela” Katiji’s face from the beginning to the end.
By Prudence Muganiwah
Despite the energetic dances and antics she and her partner Pamela “Gonyet” Zulu, as well as the rest of the Third Generation band pull off, Stimela’s constant bubbly smile will keep you hooked to the whole act.
“I was born smiling I guess. I love my job so much. I love music; it is my life so when I am on stage what makes me smile is knowing that I am giving off my best to the people. Sometimes I do not even know I am smiling. I am just a happy soul”.
Although Jah Prayzah does put up a spectacle on his own, his backing vocalists and dancers are also wonders on their own. The Standard Style caught up with Katiji after a show at the Bar Rouge at Long Cheng Plaza. And needless to say, she still wore that perfect smile, despite the fact that she had just finished performing and had time to share her story.
Born in 1984 at Edith Opperman Hospital in Mbare, and the second in a family of five, she describes herself as a vibrant, versatile, and cheerful performer. Perhaps her early childhood at Two Brigade Barracks and at HQ1 Brigade, Brady Barracks where her father was in the army, was an early prophesy to the musical career she now lives as part of the military themed-band, Third Generation.
“I have learned to mingle with Third Generation that has different people, different values and learned to live as a family. Yes, they are my family,” she adds with a chuckle.
“I used to love singing at church and school and after high school in 2003 I joined my sister Edith ‘WeUtonga’ Katiji at Amakhosi Theatre, where I studied music and dance. I then became a member of an all-female group called Amakhosikazi.”
The soft-spoken Katiji described how after Edith left Bulawayo for Harare for greener pastures, she took her place and became lead vocalist for the group Five Fold led by Hudson Simbarashe.
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“Two years later, I joined Edith in Harare where we formed an all-female outfit — So What? which was doing very well,” she said.
Katiji went on to join the Shaina hitmaker, Alexio Kawara and the Shades of Black. She has also worked with Diana Samkange and Josh Meck before she joined Jah Prayzah. Än artiste in her own right, she has recorded with various artistes like Thanda Richardson, Nesto, Gift Amuli, Tariro Negitare, Simbarashe and UK-based gospel artiste Jane Doka.
“I have also shared the stage with legendary artistes such as Oliver Mutukudzi, the late Chiwoniso Maraire, Busi Ncube, Ringo Madlingozi, Thomas Mapfumo and Yvonne Chakachaka. Performing on international stages far from home and being appreciated is so humbling.”
At Hifa 2011, Katiji had the privilege of doing a solo act where she performed the opening song. She also has done a bit of theatre, a Hifa direct entitled, It Never Rains by Thembelihle Moyo.
She describes how she loves the stage and performing for appreciative audiences, but however, says that being a woman working among men has been the biggest challenge. “Most people do not understand how a woman can work with men around her, especially considering the places we work in [nightspots].”
Despite such challenges, Katiji believes her values guide her in everything she does. “I live by the truth — this guides me in everything I do.” Commenting on her world views, Katiji believes, “Peace between nations should carry us through as a people. If we put humanity first, the world would be a better place to live in.”
But what is life like for Katiji when she is off stage? “When I am not at work, the only thing I want is to be with my family, nothing else. We do gardening and shopping. That is what I enjoy most with my family,” says the happily-married mother of an eight-year-old son. Despite her hectic schedules, Katiji sometimes squeezes time to sell clothes as well as fresh farm produce. Not surprising given her bubbly nature, Katiji confesses her love for cartoons and says watching them makes her happy.
Speaking on her role models, she says she is inspired by strong women and mothers as she knows their roles are not a stroll in the park. “I look up to my sister Edith, the late Chiwoniso [Maraire], as well as Jah Prayzah, for his creativity and passion”.
Katiji’s parting shot to other young people is, “Learn to take criticism seriously, it will build you. Put your heart to everything you want to do, practise hard and you will definitely make it”.
