(Mary Anibal)
By NOAH Pomo
Mokoomba celebrates Milestone on Classic 104 FM Zimbabwe.
Mokoomba closed 2023 with a well-supported show at HICC. The milestone show was opened by Victor Kunonga and Mary Anibal who backs Jah Prayzah.
Mokoomba’s song: “Nzara Hapana” was nominated number one on Classic 263 FM top 50 Chart show. In second place was Jah Prayzah with his song “Chiremerera.” Feli Nandi came a commendable 7th.
The 6 member band from Victoria Falls sing in various Southern African languages, including the most common in their home town of Victoria Falls: Nyanja, Luvale, Ndebele and English. “Nzara hapana” is one of their Shona songs, by far Zimbabwe’s most common local language.
The album “Tusona” or ‘tracings in the sand’ was produced during the COVID 19 pandemic and was released in 2023.
Their website said, on their new music: “The album is a testament to Africa’s guitar band heritage and disproves the notion that Africa’s musical output is solely producer-based. Mokoomba’s music resonates with the heartbeat and rhythm of a community connected through their music, serving as a source of rejuvenation, resilience, and strength in these changing times.”
Audiences in Zimbabwe agreed with these assessments in 2023. It comes as no surprise as the Classic 263 charts showed. It’s gratifying to see them receive recognition at home.
Manager Marcus Gora said: “We are happy to finally have a song that topped the charts on local radio and we are grateful to Classic 236 FM for giving us airplay and to the audience for supporting and voting.”
“The album has been well received by audiences at home and abroad as well as in local and international press. An example of this is this quote from The Guardian Observer UK which said: ‘This third album affirms their savvy mix of spirituality and exuberance, more electric than 2017’s acoustic ‘Luyando,’ more polished than their debut ‘Rising Tide.’ While grounded in traditions of the Luvale people of the Zambezi…their sound is Pan African. A blend of Zimbabwe’s tumbling Chimurenga rhythms and Congo’s soukous guitars underpin up-tempo numbers such as ‘Nyasola’, where they are joined by a horn section from Ghananian highlife troupe Santrofi. Upfront to the powerful voice of Matthias Muzaza, a charismatic figure, able to strut and swing or to soar spectacularly.”
Mokoomba performed at Jah Prayzah’s double album launch in Harare recently. They also had several local shows although most of their performances were beyond the borders of Zimbabwe and beyond Africa.
They closed the year with a performance at the Harare International Conference Centre that featured Afro Jazz artists Victor Kunonga and Mary Anibal. Anibal is a music teacher and is
more widely known as one of Jah Prayzah’s backing vocalists and mbira player.
Mokoomba’s own performance was very polished as usual. Their acoustic set is also amazing but this one was an electric variation. They have built up their own very loyal following, as has Kunonga.
The 6 members are Matthias Muzaza (Lead Singer), Trustworth Samende (Lead Guitar), Donald Moyo (Keys), Abundance Mutori (Bass), Ndaba Coaster Moyo (Drums) and Miti Mugande (Percussion).
Mathias, the lead singer, retained his boundless energy accompanied by the polished band. The variation in improvisations by Samende on guitar never gets boring as there are almost always new elements in it, depending on how he feels on the day. Donald Moyo retained his energy and concentration on keys. Abundance Mutori on bass justified his key role very well, sometimes playing with his back to the audience, always on the move. For pure mesmerising live sound in Zimbabwe it’s difficult to look beyond these 6 boys who went to school together in Chinotimba township in Victoria falls and their fusion of sounds from everywhere.
Between opener Mary Anibal and Mokoomba, was the polished performance of Victor Kunonga. The cool crooner has 5 albums to his name; Such is life (Ndanyengetedzwa namai), Uyo, Handinete, Kwedu and Ndatsva. Kunonga promised his fans a new album in February 2024. He said: “It’s a new beautiful one. It’s one people will enjoy as we have already sampled some tracks.” One of the songs will be a duet with Mary Anibal.
On his inspiration Kunonga said: “Every day you are inspired by different people and genres that urge you to evolve. It’s also a pleasure to play alongside these guys (Mokoomba) and their level of professionalism is top notch.” Kunonga turns 50 soon, a true man of less words, more music and more energy.
Kunonga grew up in Hwedza but was born in Shurugwi. He also lived in Bulawayo. He is a mullti-talented artist. He sings in Shona and Ndebele.
Kunonga played marimba in school. He later qualified as a Graphic Designer and attended Bulawayo Polytechnic in the mid-1990s. He later decided to venture into music, the same path followed by Hope Masike (she went to Harare Polytechnic and studied Graphic design). However, Kunonga didn’t own an instrument which meant he couldn’t qualify. He eventually attended some workshops at the Zimbabwe Music College in Harare where he was taught to how play guitar.
He has a tight and polished set. For his sedate music, the dance routines that involve his growing and willing army of followers, can come as a surprise. But it went down very well. He was backed by 2 guitarists including Wellington Mutepaire, a bassist, 3 ladies who included Mary Anibal on percussion on the night (how many lyrics are in Mary Anibal’s head?) one on mbira and others on percussion and backing vocals, 2 drummers and a keyboardist. His backing vocalists were some of the tightest on offer in Zimbabwe and they get very emotionally involved in the music.
Here is the list of the full band:
Drums : Prince Pakasa
Bass: Winfred Munyoro, Basil Mahachi
Mbira: Joyce Warikandwa
Keyboard : Isheanopa Jere
Rhythm Guitar : Wellington Mutepaire
Lead Guitar: Jeremiah Yohane
BVS: Sharon Chisha and Mary Anibal
Percussion: Tichaona Muchemwa
Very often the question is asked: “Who is Mary Anibal?” or the other one: “Who is the mbira and hosho playing girl who plays right next to Jah Prayzah?” This, is Mary Anibal. You don’t join Jah Prayzah’s 3G band or open for Mokoomba or back Victor Kunonga unless you know what you are doing musically. And Mary Anibal knows what she’s doing.
“I am a singer, songwriter, mbira player, percussionist, music teacher and an adventurous person. I holds the “ZIMA award: Best Traditional Chimurenga 2023. I was born on the 30th of January, 2000.”
“My lyrics are mainly inspired by people stories, my environment and what needs to be changed, domestic violence, child labour, child abuse, child marriages, human trafficking. So I thought how can I be a voice to the voiceless to warn those who practice these painful habits to less privileged victims like widows and orphans. It’s good to talk things over instead of resorting to domestic violence. Child marriages and child labour are a plague.”
“I was inspired by Chioniso Maraire and Hope Masike. Between 2012 and 2015 Chioniso came to the Woman’s day celebrations at my school, Mabelreign Girls High, in March 2013. It was amazing. My music teacher used to share Chioniso’s CDs with me which inspired me more. Cultural exchange programs with her opened up mbira music world to me. She was so soft spoken, humble, my mentor, approachable. She showed me touring celebrities can be humble. The humility was passed on to the kids including the late Chiedza Brown. She would share tricks free of charge when taught by her mum. Hope Masike also used to come to workshops. I am grateful to have met them. They bettered my playing skils.”
Jah Prayzah’s music has now shaped me as a band member. I was a backing vocalist. Learning to sing so many lyrics, dance and play mbira at the same time was a challenge. I went in blind and decided to be open minded. It helped me to grow. Jah Prayzah is a good listener and wide reader. You can tell from his content. It’s helped me to be more outgoing because I have always been a shy person. Being in the band brought out my confident self and shaped my career, even into a solo artist taking notes on confidence, communicating with fans, how to run a band, preparing for a show and performing.”
“There are so many memories. The band is a lot of good vibes. It doesn’t feel like work. Recording ‘Chiremerera’ album was one of my enduring memories. He is very open to ideas.
Recording with the girls was amazing. ‘Wandibhohwa’ and other unreleased songs were my highlights.”
Working with Fatima “Stimela” Katiji has helped her. Jah Prayzah has also been attentive to help the fledgling Mary Anibal settle in the band, although she brings a lot of experience, especially for her age.
“Mokoomba are my big brothers. They are amazing. Rubbing shoulders with them is one of my biggest 2023 highlights. Trusting me on their platform a second time is a dream come true and exposes me to their fans. It always feels amazing to get the platform and the support. I am truly grateful. The boys and Marcus the manager are very humble and are like family. Trust Samende is like a brother and also my producer. They are all down to earth. They encourage me to keep pushing. Mathias told me they are getting older and he sees us as the new generation.”
“Victor Kunonga is like a dad to me. I listened to ‘Maidarirei’ when I was young. So my gift is making room for me. Victor started singing a while ago. I am singing with him on an upcoming song. We hardly have rehearsals. We last rehearsed for Jacaranda music festival in October to perform with them. It’s always a pleasure working with Victor and the whole band.”
“I know the lyrics of many songs as a backing vocalist and session musician. Some projects I participated in I have even forgotten. I must always be ready to learn and a good listener. I have to be a songbook myself. Maybe 500 songs.”
“You have to have a good character because some artists are stubborn. You must be teachable as a backing vocalist. I sing sungura, rhumba and other genres. I have to be open minded. I also have to be ready to contribute tactfully if invited. A good attitude sells you as a brand and creates work for tomorrow. You have to welcome correction and adjustments. There are many ways of looking at anything. What’s a ‘6’ to me is a ‘9’ to someone else.”
