HARARE - Madzibaba Godfrey Nzira, the late spiritual leader of a Johanne Masowe Wechishanu faction who died in October 2011, will always be associated with the 42-year sentence he was slapped with for rape.
Nzira was convicted of seven counts of rape and one of indecent assault involving two women at his shrine.
Though 10 years of the ex-Zanu PF official’s sentence was suspended on condition of good behaviour before another 12 years were slashed by the High Court on appeal, the late Nzira’s legacy has remained stuck in disgrace.
But three years after the death of the controversial apostolic sect leader, his son - Takemore Nzira (27)-has set out on a mission to bring honour back to his maligned family name through dancehall music.
Though dancehall music is the last thing you would associate with the son of a spiritual leader of Johanne Masowe Wechishanu, Takesure is convinced that his passion for this unlikely music genre will propel his family into positive limelight once more.
“When I got into dancehall I strongly felt that I could tell my dad’s story and also raise awareness on various societal issues,” said Takesure who is known in dancehall circles as Dombo T due to his apostolic sect background.
“I approached my dad in jail to tell him about my decision to be a dancehall musician and surprisingly he became the first person to organise funds for the production of my first album Pamusoroyi in 2011.”
Interestingly, the title track of the album Pamusoroyi indirectly rebuked his father and other church elders for abusing their positions of spiritual authority.
“When I got into music most people thought I would opt for gospel music since I was a son to well-known prophet.
“My choice of music, though, did not affect my relationship with other members of my family or church elders because I still maintained my faith in the apostolic sect and even created dancehall versions of some of our church songs.”
The death of his father and the resultant family fights over the deceased’s estate jolted backwards his budding music career.
“I took a break from music in 2012 and joined Surrey Abattoir Football Club in Marondera to sustain myself. I only managed to record three singles Tracey, Kutaura and Murudo which never hit the commercial market.
“My soccer career was short-lived. I had to quit after sustaining a leg injury. At least that was how I met my manager Tinashe Mtandwa who helped me revive my music. Tinashe was a goalkeeper of one of the teams that we used to play against,” said Dombo T.
Dombo T is currently working on a dancehall album titled Gemenzi that contains songs anchored on the teachings of apostolic sects.
“I want people to understand that mapostori are just like other worshippers of God. We are the same because we all worship God. Hopefully, this album will give people a better understanding of apostolic sects.”
Though Dombo T appreciates many facets of Rastafarian teachings, he remains a firm follower of the Johanne Masowe Wechishanu apostolic sect and always attends services at his late father’s shrine in his flowing white church garment.