The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
AT the age of 26, he became the youngest Zimbabwean best-selling musician after his debut solo album, Maruva Enyika, sold more than 120 000 copies.
The chartbusting album carried the anthemic gem – Mugove – a masterpiece production whose sound is still crispy fresh like a newly-released project.
At just 26, Leonard Zhakata had mastered poetic lyricism and sounded wise in all his compositions.
Nicknamed Karikoga, which means a loner, Zhakata has stood the test of time and boasts of more than 24 albums to date.
The boy who used to sneak from home to play music with his primary school mates, Zhakata has grown up to become one of Zimbabwe’s legendary lyricists whose song writing prowess is unmatched.
Some of his chartbusting albums include Nzombe Huru, Vagoni Vebasa, Nhamodzenyika and Pakuyambuka.
His latest project, Mupendero Wenguva, is a well-knit bunch of melodies dedicated to the late Thomas Makioni who was Zhakata’s nephew and partner at Maungwe Brothers, a group they co-led.
The album carries seven tracks that include Mufandichimuka, Dairai Tenzi, Mukadzi Mushingi and It Is Well which features Bethany Pasinawako.
Born in Masvosva Village under Chief Makoni’s area, the Zimbabwe Original Rhythms of Africa (ZORA) music proponent takes his performance to his home province of Manicaland for an emotionally-charged and potentially-explosive gig at The Platinum (PicknSave) tonight (Friday).
This is his first high-profile gig in Mutare in many years and this particular gig promises to be a thriller.
Zhakata’s camp this week revealed to Post Entertainment that the show will be out of the ordinary.
“This is not an ordinary gig. It is a great feeling performing where our roots are. Meeting our ZORA fans in Mutare will bring a special feeling. This is where it all started and we are excited.
“The band is ready to put up a sterling performance.
“As part of our game plan, we will make sure that our fans will be treated to a sumptuous variety of our discography. It is a public secret that we have a very rich discography and we are sure that our playlist that night will cater for every fan,” said Leonard Zhakata, speaking through his manager, Benson Zhakata.
Zhakata’s band, Zimbabwean All Stars, consists of superlative instrumentalists who include George Chembe (lead guitar), Anthony Bizeki (lead and sub rhythm guitars), as well as vocalists Ethel Musonza and Maxwell Kanzara, among others.
