By Thelmah Chandafira and Anoziva Marindire
Reflecting on their cultural Tonga roots, Zimbabwe’s afro-fusion band Mokoomba’s luring, energetic rhythms and soul touching songs have everyone around Africa and Europe on their feet.
The six membered band comprising of Trust, Abundance, Mathias, Mhiti, McDonald and Coaster originates from Victoria Falls and is one of Zimbabwe’s most exciting, fresh, vibrant and unique musical groups which is now officially an international act.
According to bassist Abundance Mutori, Mokoomba translates as the vibrant life that the river Zambezi gives to the Tonga people including water and fish.
Mokoomba was formed in 2002 when the boys were still in high school where they came together and decided to pursue careers in music.
“The journey was not easy for us for we were still teenagers and had no instruments to use and there were no organizations that were willing to sponsor us”, said Mutori.
They would go and use the late Alfred Mjimba’s instruments at his house which he offered to them freely.
The group rose to national fame by winning competitions organized by Music Crossroads International which is a non-profit organization that supports musical education throughout Africa.
This led to a place in the Crossroads International’s Inter Regional festival held in Lilongwe, Malawi where Mokoomba took first prize beating fellow countrymen, Gwarimba.
The band has toured over 30 countries including Denmark and UK among many others.
Mokoomba sing mostly in Lingala and Tonga and they say they have their culture to thank for and singing in their mother languages helps them express vividly how they feel.
Issues of HIVand AIDS has affected many musicians and bands nationally, for example, the Bundu boys and in one of Mokoomba’s songs ‘Yomba’, Mathias Muzaza one of the band member becomes emotional addressing the issue of HIV and AIDS.
“We encourage young people to abstain from sexual activities and get tested and if one is positive they should take precautions and seek treatment early”, said Mutori.
The group has 3 albums to date, their first one is called Kweseka which means drifting ahead which has the hit single messe-messe.
The second album called “Rising Tide” and the latest one Yomba.
Mukoomba won the best new comer award of Songlines Magazine.
Mokoomba is on a mission to bring Tonga music to an international stage and they are focused on bringing one of the barely represented ethnic minorities to the world.
The bands Tonga music is making audiences all over and the world wants to dance on hearing their tunes.
Mutori admits that the band`s appearance on CNN and BBC previews boosted their careers and made them more famous.
The group has plans on starting an organization like Crossroads in Victoria Falls that will help upcoming artistes in their homeland to get exposure and the platform to showcase their talents.
Next week the band has a concert in Reunion Island and a few shows lined up for October in Zimbabwe.
Mukoomba has fast become popular and is one of the top bands in Zimbabwe as can be seen from the support from the fans.
Mukoomba were the first Zimbabwean band to get a review on CNN and BBC
News Of The South Will Be giving away Mukoomba`s latest CD titled The Rising”, the CD is signed by the band. Readers are required to answer the question below:
Competition Question
How many band members are in the band Mukoomba, what are their names and are all band members Zimbabwean?
Please send answers to : newsdesk@newsofthesouth.com
Please provide full names and contact details
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