Gospel diva Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave has said that there are a lot of misconceptions and stereotypes that surround being a gospel musician. When the Daily News on Sunday visited her at her home in Bluffhill, Harare the mother of three was busy playing with her two little children. She said the eldest Tawananyasha was not feeling well. Fungisai spoke at length on how societal expectations affected gospel musicians.
“Our society views gospel music as a ministry. So when one tries to reconcile music as a career and as a ministry it becomes difficult. Our society believes that gospel music has to be free, that we just perform without getting paid. Gospel musicians are the worst marginalised,” she said. Fungisai said the expectations did not end there as it brings into scrutiny what kind of places one performs and questions even those you should perform with.
“We are also limited as to where we must perform. There are certain places that people think you should not go because you are a gospel artist,” she said. As for sharing the stage with secular musicians she said: “You have to understand that music is an industry like any other and there is no way one can choose who to play with. You will have to work with different personalities all the time. As a gospel musician you are limited by the societal beliefs and norms.”
The gospel diva said being a woman in the music industry is another downside. “Being a woman in this industry is difficult as you are not taken seriously. As a woman, you have to prove yourself and work extra hard for people to believe in you,” she said.
While Fungisai has three children namely Tawananyasha (6), Matipanyasha (3) and Wenyasha (6 months), this does not prevent her from pursuing her dreams. “Being a mother, wife, fashion designer and going to school are my everyday life. With a supporting husband I am able to do all this. As a woman you have to go an extra mile and do everything for everyone. It is expected of you as an African woman, you just need to balance and find time for everyone,” she said.
Fungisai likes keeping to herself at home, not wanting to associate with many people. She even gets her hair done at home. “I usually avoid places with many people, people who might give me attention. You know the salon environment; I do not like getting into funny talks that usually happen there. I love being home with my kids and to be honest I do not like going out,” she said.
Married to Courage, the diva shed light on a story that has been circulating that she fired her husband as a manager. “That is so funny. He was never my manager. He was just by my side as a supporting partner. He helps me whenever he can, but I never fired him as he never managed me,” she said. Like any other musician she sees piracy as a universal challenge.
“You cannot really get anything from record sales because of piracy. It is really killing us, but as artists we cannot stop. We just have to keep on fighting it,” said Fungisai. A National Aids Council (Nac) board member, Fungisai has been in the music industry for close to 10 years. Born on January 27, 1981, she is a recording artist with more than seven albums. She has travelled and performed both regionally and internationally and has impacted the lives of many people through the uplifting messages pregnant in her music.
She sits on various boards that include the National Aids Council of Zimbabwe. Fungisai last released the album titled Highway which carries songs like Anodaidza Ezekiel, Jesu Anouya, Zuva Rekuguma and Kurarama Ndimi. Her 2009 album Chandisimudza which she launched alongside her clothing line, Nysa has all the hallmarks of a praise and worship crusade. Fungisai has eight albums to her name that include Zvirevo, Highway, Toita Zvedenga and Chandisimudza among others. The 30-year-old diva has over the years done charity work with various institutions. (Dailynews)
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