I was born Gorden Nkululeko Taurai Nzira 28 years ago in small village called Bethel in Gwanda District. For those who might not know, Gwanda is in Matabeleland South Province in Zimbabwe. I spent a part of my childwood in Tshabalala, and the better part of it in Nketa, both suburbs are in Bulawayo.
EDUCATION
I did my primary school education at Chirundazi Primary School in Mhondoro, Mahlabezulu Primary School in Tshabalala (Bulawayo) and Nketa Primary School. I then went to Milton High School for my high school and then Harare Polytechnic where I studied Business Studies for 3 years.
MUSIC BACKGROUND
My interest in music started developing at a tender age, I remember I would scream my lungs out singing along Thriller and dancing on the ceiling, songs by Michael Jackson and lionel Richie Respectively. I was such a fun loving kid and I was not at all exposed to Gospel music, and I think there wasn’t much of it on radio at that time anyway. In Zimbabwe we probably had the late Jordan Chataika, Machanic Manyeruke and a hand full of Church Choirs as the only ministers of the gospel through music.
In the early 90s I would watch and listen to my cousin Sifiso Dube as he practiced with his group Ihawu Lesizwe. What was most striking and something that I understood even back then was the group’s commitment to what they believed in, they defied all odds and held on to it. They surely became one of the most celebrated Mbube groups along with Black Umfolozi and Sunduza. In 1991 me and some of my classmates formed our own mbube group of 11 and 10 year olds and we called ourselves Vuka Boys, young as we were we would meet for practice and sing at assembly the next day. Unbelievable hah! Even I can’t believe it today. When I went to Milton in 1994 I joined the Marimba band and the choir to later become Captain and Vice Captain of the two groups respectively.
In January of the year 2000 soon after my A’ levels, I went to Harare to work of an insurance company in the city as a Market Research Officer. I then joined the Apostlic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe’s Greater Grace Assembly in Mabelreign where I became a member of the Praise and Worship Team. In the year 2001 I formed a boy group with Tafadzwa Gunda, Luwizhi Phiri, Fungai Maraura and Mark Gweshe and we called ourselves the Psalmists. As the Psalmists we were succesifull in our on right. We sang at funerals, weddings and church conferences but never got to release an album despite attempting a few times. In 2003 I met Frank Mfumu Gomani, who at that time was hot in the chats with his song Tikuchenjezeni. Mfumu, as we called him, invited me to add my singing voice to the album that he was working on at that time and I agreed. This is how I met Delani Makhalima, one of the most talented producers and song writers I have ever met. He offered me a Galaxy Records contract, I signed it and we recorded 7 full tracks but the album was not released because Mr. Makhalima had to leave for South Africa, but I have so far managed to get two songs off it and I had the songs, Tarirai and Usathane on my first album Seiko. Through my association with Delani Makhalima, I became friends with Lungisani Makhalima who at that time was still just a musician contracted to Galaxy Records like me. In 2005 Sanii decided to work on the Wala Wasala Project we did some work together resulting in us producing Izono Zakho which was the hottest gospel song for that year. The song earned me a place as one of the 5 nominees for most promising Artist at the ZIMA Awards. I did not win the award but I was motivated to work on and release an album, so I got back to work with Sanii my producer and produced Seiko. I can safely say Seiko was the most successful gospel album released in the year 2006 and of the 7 full tracks that were on it, 6 were hits. For the effort I got two Zima nominations and I appreciate. I was nominated for the Best Male Gospel Artist and Best Male Urban Grooves Artist. In 2007, I teamed up with Sanii once again and we worked on Impilo Yami (My Life). Impilo Yami defines me and my life, the Road Accidents that I escaped (listen to Unomusa), my Christian Life (Listen to Impilo Yami) and the Media Attacks that I have suffered (Listen to Ndazvipira).
DUETS AND COLABORATIONS
In 2007 I together with other Gospel Artists like Pastor G, Sabastian Magacha, Bethen Pasinawako, Esther Mukazika, Themba and many more did Zimpraise Volume 1 an album Produced by talented and award winning Producer Macdonald Chidavaenzi and it was such a memorable experience. In 2008 I was also part of a Compilation called Better Bless the World (BBTW) Produced in South Africa. On the this Compilation were myself, Kudzie Nyakudya, Sanii Makhalima, Enoch ‘Nox’ Guni and three South African Artists. I have also done successful duets with Sanii Makhalima, Pastor G, Emmanuel Mashongera and Bethen Pasinawako.
THE PERSON AND THE FUTURE
Let me hasten to say that I love what I do and I do what I do whole heartedly. For me it is not about making hits but it’s about doing my best using the talent that God has given me. I am preaching good news and that is my mission and so it shall be for as long as I am on earth. I am a Christian and I am guided by Christian principles. I am not yet married, but that will surely be changing soon. I am currently working on my third album to be released first in Cape Town, South Africa where am currently resident and then In Zimbabwe late this year or early next year.
I love you all in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
