James ” JCJ ” THE SILVER TONGUED RADIO DJ WHO BUILT A MULTINATIONAL BUSINESS EMPIRE  

 James Makamba

                                                        By Tapfuma Machakaire   8/12/2022                                                      

From August 1920 when the first wireless broadcasts started in Argentina, radio has remained a mode of communication that is intimate, direct and human. Communication experts have observed that the most difficult challenge for a lot of radio presenters is controlling their mood. Presenters are expected to be always enthusiastic, energetic and positive.

Those who had the opportunity to listen to James Makamba on radio in the 1970’s to the early 1980’s will testify that the man was a broadcaster par-excellence. He had a commanding voice and his programmes were packed with irresistible informative and educational messages. His J..C..J signature jingle derived from initials of his first names James Chafungamoyo Jinja made him stand out among his peers.

Makamba is famed for his dynamic commercials in which he was out to prove that advertising can have a direct and immediate impact. Many will recall the powerful advertorial of Amato Stores on the African Service of Rhodesia Broadcasting Corporation (RBC) Radio 2 with the famous statement  Ndikati Nzveee KwaAmato Wandiona.  

Other shows that listeners enjoyed include Lyons Maid Hits of the Week, Assembly special Hits, King James The King of Jazz sponsored by Jazz Stores, and the Bata Movement Get into It show.

During his time on radio Makamba became so popular that he was known in all corners of the country and would inspire even primary school kids who would mimic his J…C…J jingle. Clad in the then in fashion, belly bottom trouser, high heeled shoes and sparkling black afro hair, Makamba would interact with communities at functions as a guest DJ. These included end of year parties and weddings.

Born on January 1, 1952 in Shamva District of Mashonaland Central Province of Zimbabwe, James Chafungamoyo Jinja Makamba was the youngest of ten children of Jinja Makamba and Veronica Mudungwe. He did his primary education at Mupfurudzi Primary School in Shamva. When the family moved to Mount Darwin James had to be transferred to Kujuwara Primary in that area before he moved to Tomlinson Depot Primary in Salisbury.

He did his secondary education at a Catholic institution in Bulawayo. He then secured a job at a Catholic centre in Harare near the government-run Audio Visual Services (AVS), which produced radio programmes for schools. His broadcasting career began when he developed an interest in the productions at AVS. He would observe a friend doing voice over recordings and one day when the friend did not turn up for work, Makamba was asked to stand in for him.

He used the opportunity to demonstrate his talent in broadcasting and he would soon secure a job with RBC Radio 2. Makamba was quick to move to production of commercials for his station and he would source his own clients. He rose to become one of the most popular DJ in Southern Rhodesia, at one time running 28 radio shows a week.

The exodus of white broadcasters from the country after the attainment of independence created a gap which saw Makamba becoming managing director of a consortium of black entrepreneurs, rebranded as Media Associates.

In 1997 the consortium established Joy TV which became the country’s first independent television station. In 2002 Joy TV which was leasing ZBC’s second TV station had its license revoked as it was argued ZBC had not been authorised to lease their frequencies to independent broadcasters.

Makamba later pursued further studies and obtained a master’s degree in Business Administration from California Coast University.

Through his business network Makamba met Andrew Young, the former Mayor of Atlanta in the USA who introduced him to Thurman Mackenzie one of the co-founders of M&M Products, a respected hair fashion brands.

Makamba was awarded the sole distribution rights for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region by Thurman McKenzie.

In the 1980s Makamba became an insurance sales consultant for Old Mutual, a leading insurance company in the SADC region. Within a record eight months he had generated one million USD’s worth of sales. This made him qualify as a member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), an independent association of nearly 38,000 of the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 450 companies in 79 countries.

Makamba was appointed to spearhead Lonrho, operations in Botswana serving as Deputy Chairman of the board under the supervision of Tiny Rowland. He also served as senior consultant for Lonrho Zimbabwe and Lonhro PL in London and later spent many years working from the Lonrho Plc. headquarters in Cheapside, London. Makamba was also engaged as a government relations consultant for Lonrho Plc. initiatives across Africa, among them promotion of the Mercedes-Benz franchise in sub-Saharan Africa, the establishment of tea plantations, the building of railways, and the development of tourism and agriculture.

When Lonhro was appointed by Boeing to be their agent in Africa, Rowland appointed Makamba as Lonhro’s sales executive for Boeing on the continent.

In 1993, Makamba formed Empowerment Corporation, a consortium comprised of women’s groups, miners and other indigenous groups. The company partnered with Telecel International, the first cellular services provider on the African continent and secured one of the three cellular licences awarded by the Government of Zimbabwe.

Makamba currently has interests in the retail, telecommunications, mining, agricultural, property and professional consultancy sectors and digital publishing.

March 2020 was a devastating period for Makamba when his son became the first Zimbabwean to die from COVID-19. Thirty-year old Zororo Makamba, a well-known broadcaster died three days after being diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Makamba posted an emotional statement on social media on the death of his son which read, “On Monday 23 March our beloved son, Zororo Makamba succumbed to the COVID -19 virus. There is no loss more painful and enduring than that of parents losing their child. My wife Irene and I have experienced this pain no fewer than three times. Our two surviving children, Kushinga and Tawanda also went through the deep pain of losing three siblings. We were touched that many people recognised Zororo’s immense talent as a communicator. Zororo, your name demands that you rest in peace.”