Charles Charamba

Charles Charamba
Born (1971-04-27) April 27, 1971
Nationality Zimbabwean
Occupation Musician, Pastor, Songwriter, Producer
Spouse(s) Olivia (née Maseko)

Charles Charamba (born 27 April 1971) is a Zimbabwean gospel musician and a pastor in the Apostolic Faith Mission Church of Zimbabwe. Charamba's albums have been the top selling gospel music in Zimbabwe since the early 2000s.[1][2][3] He has toured both Great Britain and the United States, and throughout southern Africa.[4] One of Charamba's most famous songs is “Machira Chete”.[2][5] His wife, Olivia (née Maseko), is also a gospel singer, and appears with him on stage and on his albums; they are often called the "First Family of Gospel".[6]

Early life and education

Charamba was born in Mudzi District, which is now in Mashonaland East Province.[4] He attended Masarakufa Primary School and Masarakufa Secondary School in Mudzi, completing his O-Levels.[4] In 1998, Charamba began his studies at the Living Waters Bible College in Tynwald, Harare, where he received his bachelor's degree in theology.[4] Well after his rise to gospel music stardom, he returned to college and in 2011 received a "National Certificate in Music" from the Zimbabwe College of Music.[4] In 2013, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in jazz from Africa University.[7]

Fraud charges

In August 2004, Charamba along with his banker Sebastian Mupa at the Agricultural Development Bank of Zimbabwe (Agribank) were charged with fraud in the execution of a $40 million loan,[8] bail was eventually set at $1 million.[9] However, after further investigation the charges were dropped.[10]

Music

Charamba's gospel music contains elements of sungura, jazz and jit.[4][11] It can be laid back, or vivid with traditional beats such as mbakumba and mhande.[12]

Originally Charamba recorded on the Gramma Label. But after gaining sufficient capital, he built his own studio and began putting his albums out under his own label "Fishers of Men".[13]

Songs

Charamba's hit songs include:[4][5]

  • “Machira Chete”
  • “Sarudzai”,
  • “Masimba Ndeenyu”,
  • “Kumakomo Uko”,
  • “Handidi Naye”,
  • “Tauya Kuzomutenda”.
  • "Buruka"
  • "Nyika
  • "Mhinduro Iripo"

the calling of desciples

Albums

Charamba's albums include:[3][4][14]

  • Tinashe Akatendeka in 1997 (first album)
  • Johanne 3:16 in 1998
  • Vhuserere in 2000
  • Exodus in 2001
  • Sunday Service in 2003
  • Verses and Chapters 2004
  • Daily Bread in 2002
  • New Testament On Song in 2007
  • Pashoko Pangoma in 2010
  • Wenazareta in 2014[15]

Notes

  1. ↑ "Top Album: Fishers of Men". New Music Weekly (ZimAudio). 6 October 2006. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Pirates haunt Charamba . . . as fake album hits the streets". The Herald. Harare, Zimbabwe. 3 December 2013. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014.
  3. 1 2 Chikova, Lovemore (2015). "1990-2000: Emergence of 'sungura' gospel music". The Herald. Harare, Zimbabwe: Zimpapers (Pvt) Ltd. Archived from the original on 26 April 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Zindi, Fred (3 October 2011). "Let Charamba be an inspiration to many". The Herald. Harare, Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Pastor Charamba fumes at King Shaddy". Real Zim News Magazine. 17 December 2013. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "Charambas off to Hwange, Vic Falls". The Herald. Harare, Zimbabwe. 10 October 2012. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "Charles Charamba graduates". The Herald. Harare, Zimbabwe. 30 July 2013. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013.
  8. ↑ "Gospel singer Charamba held in $40 million fraud probe". New Zimbabwe News. Harare, Zimbabwe. 2003. Archived from the original on 6 December 2004.
  9. ↑ "Bail set at $1m for gospel musician Charamba". New Zimbabwe News. 11 December 2009. Archived from the original on 1 September 2004.
  10. ↑ "Attorney General stops Charamba prosecution". New Zimbabwe News. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
  11. ↑ Sibanda, Maxwell (15 January 2012). "Our music knows no boundaries: Charambas". The Daily News. Harare, Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012.
  12. ↑ "Pastor Charles and Olivia Charamba". Apostolic Faith Mission In Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
  13. ↑ "Latest Must Have For Zim Musicians: Studio". The Financial Gazette. Harare, Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
  14. ↑ Khosa, Trust (26 June 2009). "Gospel supremo releases sub standard album". Zimbabwe Online Press. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
  15. ↑ "Charamba's new album finally out". New Zimbabwe News. 30 August 2014. Archived from the original on 2 September 2014.
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