The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
SHE never saw it coming!
It was an insurmountable, yet achievable dream.
Gospel supremo, Dorcas Moyo, shrugged off stiff competition from equally-deserving songstresses Feli Nandi Chipendo and Sandra Ndebele to bring the National Arts Merit Award (NAMA) Outstanding Female Musician gong to Manicaland.
The awards were held in Harare last week.
Upon receiving the award on the podium, the Mutare-based musician shed tears of joy.
On her journey to stardom, there were loud criticisms of her voice on social media.
Dorcas chose to ignore the critics, refused to be overwhelmed and managed to eat an elephant one bite at a time until she reached the ‘Promised Land’.
This was her first NAMA award, a development which saw her breaking the perennial underperforming streak for Manicaland where most local artistes have failed to win the coveted prize.
Despite the abundant talent, artistic prowess and innovation, most Manicaland artistes have failed to make a breakthrough and Dorcas’ historic feat could be the beginning of brighter days ahead.
Only a few musicians in the province, the likes of Hosiah Chipanga and Blessing Shumba have managed to be honoured at the previous editions of the awards.
ln an exclusive interview with Weekender Entertainment, Dorcas said she owes the award to God.
She says she did not lose hope when she failed to make it in the previous NAMA edition.
The Goromonzi-born artiste boasts of eight albums with her most popular ones being ‘Zvininipise’, ‘Ndibatsirei Mwari’, ‘Bvisai Marara’ and ‘Bvudzi Rangu Ramera’.
The ‘Hurukuro’ hitmaker is on the verge of releasing a potential scorcher this month.
She has also been performing before capacity crowds at most of her gigs.
“I am elated by the achievement and as I speak, I am overwhelmed with excitement. I am short of words to express my feelings, but let it be known that my heart is overflowing with joy.
“I cannot single out any individual, but an array of factors meticulously crafted this success. Foremost, all glory goes to the Almighty who has seen us through thick and thin.
“My management has been amazing in giving direction and vision, the band members have been relentless in their efforts to achieve perfection and equally the fans have been unbelievable in their support; they encourage us day and night.
“Challenges are awash in the music industry and these range from stereotypes to insincerity from some promoters. The social media battering and abuse has also emerged as an energy draining forte if you are not careful. The competition is stiff and one has to be resilient if they dream of reaping meaningful rewards.
“We attended the previous edition and walked away empty-handed and this time around we even contemplated not attending as we thought we could just be making the numbers.
“It indeed came as a pleasant surprise, however, we knew within ourselves that even if we missed out on the gong, we have done enough to impact lives with our music.
“The road to where we are now has been quite rough and arduous. I am not sure whether I qualify to be classified as a star yet, but I toil every day to have a better version of myself.
“Music journeys can be gruesome, but what is important is to continue making the kid steps towards the goal. I am happy that as I look back, I see quite a substantial distance that I have covered, but still there is another long and winding road ahead that I need to traverse.
“Patience, originality and endurance will mould any upcoming artiste. It is a rarity for one to be recognised in a short space of time. It may need one try after another. Hard work bears fruit. Keep focused on producing your work instead of wasting your energy in pricking and devouring each other,” she said.
