Tatenda Mahachi takes gospel music to another level

GOSPEL music became popular in Zimbabwe in the mid 1980s with stars like Mechanic Manyeruke, Freedom Sengwayo, Jordan Chataika and Jonathan Wutawunashe paving the way.The early nineties saw the rising of new gospel artists such as the late Brain Sibalo, Ivy Kombo-Kasi, Carol Mujokoro, Brain Sibalo, Clive Barangiro, Mahendere brothers, Elias Musakwa and Gospel Trumpet raising the genre’s flag higher.
Gospel music continued to grow in popularity and renumeration after the turn of the century ushering in Pastor Charles and Olivia Charamba, Shingisai Suluma, Pastor G, Fungisayi Zvakavapano-Mashavave, Tawanda Mutyebere, Vabati vaJehovah, Shower Power and Tatenda Mahachi amongst others.
Mahachi a soft spoken gospel artist says he want to take gospel music to another level so that it reach out to many communities with a message that is able to transform people’s lives for the better.
“Those who came before us worked very hard to raise this genre to be were it is today. Their music inspired us and touched the lives of many in a positive way. We should keep gospel music alive by working hard, composing songs that “inspire, teach and motivate people to do good.”
He said gospel music was a powerful tool in provoking the presence of God and wants people to know that salvation is for everyone regardless of age, nationality or race.

He defines gospel music as the voice of God that is understood by all nations, ethnicity, personality, history and cultures in all languages.
“Gospel musicians should come together in an ambience of divine praise and worship and should be seen as a bridge of reconciliation, and a beacon of light and hope to the much afflicted and sick,” Mahachi said
Mahachi says he has gone through moulding, quality and presentation to match the quality that was already in the market and that came before him.
He advises aspiring musicians that the music industry had challenges that one has to overcome.
“One has to go through hurdles and there are certain doors that one cannot easily open. It is always better to be ready and have no opportunity than to have an opportunity and not be ready. “The biggest mistake that musicians commit is that they point to an opportunity at a distance while the opportunity they are looking for is in them,” he said.

Mahachi was born on August 19 in 1984 and began singing at school in Karoi. Considering he was in school the only exposure he had was singing with a school music group which they called the “Chikichi Boys”.
His first two albums Miyedzo and Kure have been receiving rave reviews on radio. On his third album Agare he worked with songstress, Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana on the track Ndibvumbamirei which is a popular song on the local radio.

He says he looks forward to doing future collaborations with legendary music giant Oliver Mtukudzi and Munya Matatuse in future.
Mahachi is also an entrepreneur who runs a car sales and fuel company TAMTEX Investments.