Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Richmore Tera
14 July 2008
Harare — SHE might not be Olivia Charamba or Shingisai Suluma, but upcoming gospel diva Olinda Marowa is endowed with the golden voice that can turn icons green with envy.
At just the green age of 20, and a fresher from a Harare-based college where she recently completed her A-Level, Olinda has defied odds to tread where a few of her contemporaries wouldn't dream of ever treading.
While she is waiting to proceed to university level to further her studies, the diva's debut album, Nyasha - recorded at Gramma Records - has done wonders shooting straight to the apex of the music charts.
What makes Olinda exceptional is not just her sapling age but also her Bethan Pasinawako-like seductive voice and her music that is suffused with inspirational gospel messages that address one's soul.
"In my music, I am inspired by the word of God. I feel uplifted when I read the Bible, although I am also inspired by the music of other artistes such as Shingisai Suluma. It is the Bible that keeps me focused, and I try to share this same vision with others through my music," she said.
But when and how did she start?
"I grew up with a passion for music. I always took part in the school choirs and present worship. But the turning point in my life was in 2003 while I was still in high school when I had the chance of joining Kudzai Nyakudya's backing group, Flowers of Joy," she said.
Soon after this, Olinda went on to record three ground breaking albums with Kudzi -- Jerusalem, Kudzai Ishe and Alleluya -- an experience that she says helped to shape her career path. She said the stint was memorable, eye-opening experience in her growth as an artiste.
Like the queen on a chess-board that is free to move here and there from any box to the other, Olinda jumped from Kudzi's outfit to assist another talented female gospel diva Rumbi Zvekuzhe to record her 2006 hit album Mwari Inhare.
She also assisted Joel Maphosa on his album, Amen. On all these, she was providing the backing vocals.
So much for a 20-year-old, you might say.
Indeed, but Olinda believes that with God everything is possible and says her talent and musical breakthrough are God-ordained. Age too, she insists, isn't anything but a number.
"We should not be limited by age factor. When God gives us talents he doesn't consider how young we are in the eyes of other people. We should be able to partake of that talent while in the same vein managing to remain focused.
"It is said that if we humble ourselves in His eyes He will exalt us," she said.
Causing heat waves on local radio stations is the first track off the album, Ndinouya Baba, about the healing power of confessions and how God is a very forging God, no matter how scarlet one's sins might be.
"Zvakawanda zvandakabata pano panyika, makumbo angu akafambira zvinotyisa baba," she sings on the song.
Alleluya is a song of praise that simply reminds people that God is worth of all the praise, while Mapapiro invokes Jesus Christ to make the second coming and take with him the righteous to heaven.
A particularly strong track with a strong message is Zororo that talks about the transience of life on earth and how heaven is a place of bliss.
The remaining tracks - Munopenya, Ndokutenda, Zvipire and Kusaziva - are laden with similar powerful messages such as how the lack of heavenly wisdom is the root of all sin.
Born in Warren Park, Olinda was educated at Cold Comfort Primary School in Tynwald before moving to Morgan High School in Arcadia.
She has performed at numerous church and social functions such as weddings and parties.
"I am looking forward to keep on recording more albums and also keep on growing spiritually so as to minister through music," said Olinda, who recently released a video for Ndinouya Baba that is currently showing on ZTV.
"I am intending to pursue journalism at Midlands State University," she concluded.
Major Muswaire manages her.nt
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