Victor Kunonga
By Tapfuma Machakaire 23/1/2023
When Victor Kunonga was denied admission at a college of music in 1999 in Bulawayo after failing to meet the requirement of possessing a musical instrument, he was devastated. But he did not give up on his dream of becoming a musician.
He moved to Harare where he worked as a graphic designer for an advertising company, while exploring all avenues of developing his chosen career. His formal training in music started in 2001 when he participated in the Zimbabwe College of Music’s Pop Workshops under the tutelage of renowned pianist, Filbert Marova.
Victor has since developed to be a social activist who strives to work towards social justice and change through his music. His songs are derived from a profound sense of dignity and social awareness, confronting issues of poverty, dispossession and the rights of ordinary people. He has taken his music to countries that include Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi, Swaziland and Nigeria.
In 2006 he was appointed as the Southern African Ambassador against Poverty. This saw him perform at Stand Up Against Poverty concerts in Mbare and Chitungwiza suburbs of Harare.
By working with non-governmental organisations, Victor has been vocal in fighting social ills such as gender-based violence and drug abuse and the campaign to end HIV/Aids. Among the organisations he worked with are Action Aid, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) National Aids Council (NAC) and the organisation Football against Aids in Zimbabwe.
Born on October 25, 1974 to Fred and Vimbai Lizzy Kunonga, Victor is the first born and only son in a family of four. Victor was born at a clinic in Shurugwi when his father was working for Bata Shoe Company in Gweru as a depot controller. This was after he (the father) had migrated from his rural home in Wedza in search of employment. Kunonga senior later changed jobs and moved to Bulawayo.
Victor did grade one and two at St Margaret’s Chigondo Primary School in Wedza and completed his primary education at Hugh Beadle Primary in Bulawayo. He did his secondary education at Northlea High. Upon completing his A Level studies, he enrolled at the Bulawayo Polytechnic for a Graphic Designing course.
Victor’s interest in music began to show when he was still in junior school when at one time he was the DJ at a school function. He later appeared on the ZBC television show, Teen Scene with his friend Aldabet where they performed a Reggae song. At home he would listen to Kwaito, D’gond and Reggae and Rhumba music.
Kunonga told 1Zimlegends that as a young boy his musical son was nicknamed Zvavahera after his grandfather, a talented musician during his time. “He would randomly sing and dance in the house,” Kunonga said.
While at Northlea High he was the leader of the Marimba Band and would teach other students how to play the instrument.
In an interview with a local publication The News Report,Victor says when he moved to Harare he would carry around a small radio. “I had a small radio where I would dub old cassettes with my music. I always recorded whenever I practiced a guitar. I would carry this radio to work and playback, but nobody really understood what I was doing,” said Victor.
He said the more he continued to play the music, the more he felt the urge to record. Victor says those days due to the limited number of recording companies, it was difficult to convince producers to consider recording a song.
By then the time when the music industry was dominated by two major recording companies, Zimbabwe Music Corporation (ZMC) and Gramma Records.
“I didn’t know who to approach but I had a workmate who was acquainted to Kelly Rusike of Shed Studios. I took my cassette to Shed Studios who said they could not understand what I wanted to produce.”
This was another setback for Victor who says he was disappointed and abandoned efforts to record for some years. He later resurfaced after raising enough money to do a demo tape in a proper studio. But even then, his problems persisted as he struggled to get recognition.
“I remember trying to get a band to play on my demo, but no one was interested. It was very discouraging that no one wanted to be associated with me. That is when I met Blessing Muparutsa who said let us just do it and another guy who played the saxophone who helped play the bass.”
Victor made his breakthrough after Rusike broke away from Shed Studios to start Shed Productions which gave him a recording slot for his first album.
His first album released in 2004, became a hit with songs that include Maidarirei, Ndanyengetedzwa namai and Tigere.
The album sold very well and music video for Maidarirei also did very well on Zimbabwean TV music video charts.
On his second album, Uyo, released in 2006, Victor had teamed up with big names in Afro-Jazz appeared who included celebrated drummer, Sam Mataure, female jazz vocalist, Prudence Katomeni, bassist Kelly Rusike, keyboardist Manasa Mujawo, Guitarist Zivanai Masango, percussionist Adam Chisvo and Richie Lopez on saxophone.
Victor formed the group Peace in 2004 which has since performed at major festivals in the country and is a regular feature at premium Zimbabwe functions and at Jazz clubs.
The group has also performed alongside music greats like Oliver Mtukudzi, Steve Dyer, Malaika, Habib Coyete, Jabu Khanyile, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Judith Sephuma, Louis Mhlanga, and Hugh Masekela.
Victor’s music has been described as a melting pot of African rhythms, with a taste of mbaqanga on some tracks. He derives inspiration from the masters of Zimbabwean music namely Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, Louis Mhlanga, Chiwoniso Maraire and from general traditional rhythms.
Despite the influence of such legends, Victor strived to produce his own unique sound.
“I am fortunate to have been exposed to all these musicians. I believe I was just born creative,” he said.
He credits Mtukudzi for giving him sound advice during his early days.
“Oliver Mtukudzi sat me down and we had a chat, he told me of the ups and downs of the music industry. I credit him for grounding me,”
Victor says he prefers living a quiet life, seldom appearing on social media.
“I hate being known; I don’t want to be famous. I want my music to reach out to people,” he said.
Victor is regarded as a masterful composer, lyricist and story teller of rare pedigree with a passion for his art. He considers music as the most powerful tool to convey messages of hope in today’s life and environment filled with various challenges.
His parents say they are very proud of his musical achievements. “He is a celebrity to many but still our humble boy. We enjoy his music and we are his number one fans always. We pray that he prospers,” said Kunonga Snr.
The father said Victor’s sisters, Jacqueline, Roselyn and Sharleen are not musicians. “Though I know they are great supporters of their brother. They would rehearse and play marimba with him.”
“Victor is a goal getter, he is such a resistant boy, and he pulls through in whatever circumstances. He is doing well, yet remains humble, laid back and we are proud of the man he has become. He has a wife and two children, Piwai & Yanai, who seem to be taking after their father musically,” said Kunonga Snr.
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