Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Tatenda Chipungudzanye
26 April 2008
Harare — When Gololia Goliath decided to join Alick Macheso's Orchestra Mberikwazvo as a sound engineer in 2003, she was deemed a misguided youth.
But five years down the line, she has become one of the most successful people in the field and probably reaping more than what she would have been getting had she followed former classmates and joined traditional recording companies and other studios.
Gololia, mistakenly called Gloria, is the unsung heroine of Alick Macheso's Orchestra Mberikwazvo responsible for the quality sound that multitudes of Cheso's fans enjoy at live shows.
Gololia (28) joined the group as part of her industrial attachment and has been there ever since. "When I joined the band some years back, the society obviously looked at it in the negative as very few then valued music as a profession. "But I persevered -- I shrugged off what people used to say during my first days at the band and I managed to get used to it and realised that I had a dream to fulfil," said Gololia.
She added that it was challenging working in an environment dominated by men but she has managed to command her own space. "Imagine all the men at Orchestra Mberikwazvo and I am the only female in the band. "During the first days some band members used to look at me as a mere woman but now they understand my role and the working environment has improved," she said.
"I have always had passion for music. When I was growing up I always wanted to do something that is physically challenging. "I shelved my certificates because the print media, and reporting for TV and radio are not that physically demanding - so in settling for sound engineering my dream became a reality," Gololia said. She added that she is at Orchestra Mberikwazvo to stay. "I have no sight of leaving the band in the near future because at Orchestra Mberikwazvo everyone has been supportive and that makes my working environment very conducive. "I am a woman but the whole band including Macheso and the manager respect my capabilities and my office.
"I know what is needed in sound engineering for the band so whenever I make requests for new gadgets or some to be repaired it is done without delay which makes my work a lot easier," said Gololia. Gololia, who resides in Chitungwiza and travels with Macheso for all his shows in Zimbabwe and abroad, is also happy with what she earns.
"While some complain of poor remuneration at musical bands, our situation is different - we are well paid and I can't complain at all," she said. The sound engineer urged women to pursue their dreams regardless of how society looks at the industry or career. "Women should explore their dreams and even go further beyond that coming up with new things.
"I would like to thank my father, my sister, my workmatesand most of all, my child for the support from my college days until now. Gololoia has a child, Lionah.
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