Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Clive Huruva
15 August 2008
Harare — AFTER battling for a long time with an undisclosed illness, Josphat Somanje, a founding member of Pengaudzoke, is back on his feet and about to release a gospel album.
The album is still being worked on and will be available on the market next month.
His soft voice will certainly give the gospel scene a refreshing dimension.
Performing recently in at a sports bar in Marondera, he said the idea of coming up with a gospel album was a result of the miraculous hand of God in his life during and after his illness.
"I saw God's hand wrestling death and because of His majestic power I am alive. I am back and I want to thank the Almighty for showing His loving kindness to me by praising Him through song," he said.
He expressed his gratitude to his fans and to David Nyatsoka of Nyatsoka Music Promotions and the owner of the exclusive Parwizi Sports Bar and Garden, for assisting him in resuscitating his career after a long break from the scene.
"His sponsorship is important because he was the first to promote me after my long break from music," he added.
Nyatsoka described Josphat as a natural musician whose only drawback for the better part of last year was illness.
"Josphat is a sungura musician par excellence belonging to the old and classical type.
"Look at John Chibadura, Leonard Dembo, Mukoma Ketai, Marshall Munhumumwe and Paul Mpofu -- this is the group where this artiste rightly belongs."
Josphat's musical career has been waning.
He separated from his brother Daiton and started a solo career.
Before he had fully realised his full potential in music, he was arraigned before the courts on allegations of raping a minor, leading to his conviction and imprisonment.
Currently he is staying with his band members after his wife left him following the controversies that befell him.
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