Shingisai Suluma
By ZimLegends
The entertainment industry, in particular music and the performing arts, is not a favourable area for women in Zimbabwe and the African continent as a whole, regardless of one being endowed in the art.
Some of the courageous women who have made it in the music industry may be suffering silently from the diverse forms of sexual abuse, due to the exposure associated with the profession, not to mention the patriarch nature of the African culture.
However, such negatives have not deterred spirited female artists like Shingisai Suluma now regarded as an inspiration to all the youths, especially the girl child in Zimbabwe. Suluma’s determination in achieving her goals in a male dominated world has shown all aspiring female musicians that it is very possible to achieve your goals and dreams if you are willing to work hard and stay patient.
The depth in her hit song Tidzidzisei Kunamata (teach us to pray) which by June 2020 had reached 76 000 views on YouTube, has deep innuendos that speak to an impassioned plea for prayer to address the evils of this world. This, coming from a mother, could be addressing more than what the ordinary ear can absorb. Ishe mitoro yacho inorema toda kunamata (Lord the burden is heavy we want to pray), she pleads in a piercing voice in the sombre chorus.
Similar deep rooted-messages are discernible in the hit song, Maitiro enyu where she praises the love of God for forgiveness and guidance overriding the earthly challenges. In Fara zvakadaro Shingisai describes a situation which denotes biblical signs of the world coming to the end and urges worshippers to rejoice in the Lord despite the pain and suffering. Her videos are professionally choreographed capturing joyous scenes in church, the foundation of her creation as a gospel artiste.
Shingisai is considered a veteran of the gospel music genre among females. This saw her being listed among the top twelve most famous female gospel singers by The Famous People, a website that bases its ranking on algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of its users and search trends on internet surveys. Other artists on the list of honour with Shingisai are, Sha Sha, Lucia Evans, Blessing Chitapa, Chiwoniso Maraire, Shungudzo, Stella Chiweshe, Tamy Moyo, Selmor Mtukudzi, Pauline Kamusewu, Hope Masike, and Busi Ncube.
Shingisai was born in Gweru to Christopher and Dorcas Chadoka on February 28, 1971. Both her parents were members of the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa church choir in Braeside. At the age of seven she performed at a national church conference and by the age of 17 she was the leader of the church choir.
Shingisai went to Chamber and Kudakwashe primary schools in Glen Norah, and later to Nettleton Junior School in Braeside. She completed her O-level education at Hatfield Girls High School and proceeded to Oriel Girls School for her A-Level studies. She left Zimbabwe to study art in Wimbledon, England, before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in textile and design at Surrey University. After returning to Zimbabwe she worked as an art teacher at Oriel Girls School, Alan Wilson Boys School, and Eaglesvale Secondary School. During the same period, she established herself as one of the most prominent gospel artists in Zimbabwe and recorded her first album in 1995.
Shingai later returned to school to study English and after completing her studies, she relocated to China where she worked as an English teacher.
In October 2018, after her stint in China, Shingai moved to the United States to continue with her studies. She obtained a Masters of Arts degree in Christian Education from the New Orleans Theological Baptist School.
In a bid to broaden her horizons and capture a new market while based in the US, Shingisai who had been producing songs in her mother tongue Shona started working on English songs. She, however, ruled out the possibility of translating her earlier hits to English.
“Gospel music is a ministry we can’t stop. It is about passion and calling. My new project will have English songs only. The main reason is to have a wider fan-base. I may be popular in Zimbabwe, but we are still struggling to penetrate other markets because of language barrier. I sometimes find it difficult to perform at a function with many non-Zimbabwean fans who do not understand Shona,” Shingirai told journalists after her arrival in the US.
Shingirai has inspired upcoming female gospel musicians, among them Janet Manyowa who has taken gospel music to another level. Suluma said she first met Janet Manyowa via social media after some fans hinted that there was a replica of her in Zimbabwe.
“I checked her songs on YouTube. I was impressed by her talent and when I met Janet in the US we shared ideas.”
A famous music critique, Deliwe Garande who spoke to 1NewLegends said, “If ever there’s a gospel musician that arguably performed at the top of her game in Zimbabwe, Shingisai Suluma ranks up there.
Her prowess is comparable only to Mai Olivia Charamba.One would be forgiven to conclude that Mai Charamba in her songs is a soul winner while on the other hand Shingisai ministers in a deep Christian way. As spiritual as her music is, it cuts across generations and is played even in secular circles, which shows her wider appeal.
Shingai is married to Pastor Stephen Suluma and they have two daughters, Tashinga and Tiara.
“I have a lot of musicians who come to me complaining that their music is not being played, but I tell them to be patient. My breakthrough came after three albums.” said the gospel music diva who has won the Best Female Gospel singer in the Zimbabwe Music Awards three times.
This article has been provided through the courtesy of: Zimlegends | Zimbabwe Legends readers. www.1zimlegends.com
