Emmanuel Thomas’ daughter denounces ritual murders
KAYLA THOMAS, daughter to Frontline Kids founding member Emmanuel, has denounced the killing of children for ritual purposes.
The seven-year-old poured her heart out in a single titled Stop Child Killings/Musauraye Vana due for release today.
The song will also have an accompanying video soon, according to Kayla’s handlers.
The song was dedicated to the late sevenyear-old Murehwa boy, Tapiwa Makore, who was allegedly murdered for ritual purposes by relatives.
Recorded at MJ Studios by Jonathan Mgazi, gospel singer Noel Zembe featured in the song along with Emmanuel Thomas and his wife City Thomas who did the backing vocals.
Emmanuel Thomas played most of the instruments together with Mgazi.
In an interview with H-Metro, Emmanuel said he was only supporting his daughter who was traumatised by the spine-chilling murder of the Murehwa boy.
“Kayla was touched by the murder of Tapiwa Makore and approached me with a song which she dedicated to him.
“I have been grooming her since the age of four and we decided to assist her.
“I used to conduct music lessons with her. “Of course, I had to assist her here and there for chronology, but I have never doubted her,” he said.
Thomas said he decided to rope in his wife City and long-time friend Zembe to add depth to the song.
“My wife and Noel Zembe came on board to assist our daughter.
“Of course, we are ushering her to the world, but what we wanted most was to ensure that we assist our daughter.
“As you know, our children do follow current affairs and for her to be touched by Tapiwa Makore’s murder meant a lot to us and other children.
“It’s important when children speak out about issues affecting them,” he said.
Thomas, who is now a pastor with Disciples Fellowship Ministries, said he was still into music.
“These days I spend much of my time doing God’s work at my church, Disciples Fellowship Ministries’ Ushewokunze branch, along with my wife.
“It’s a calling that I could not resist, but I still do music and that’s why I have managed to unleash my daughter Kayla who is destined for stars,” he said.
Frontline Kids was one of the finest musical groups to emerge in the late 80s and went on to conquer the world.
It comprised of Emmanuel, who played the lead and rhythm guitars, Filbert Marova (keyboardist), Wellington Masvosva (drummer), Zembe (backing and lead vocals), Jivas Dzinotizeyi (backing vocals) and Professor Fred Zindi, who played the lead and rhythm guitar.
Professor Zindi doubled as the band manager; a role he undertook for the greater part of the group’s existence.
Frontline Kids has five albums and 13 singles. Some of the albums released by the group comprised Yarira Ngoma, Children of the Frontline, Kumusha, African Jive and Serous Man.
In the year 1991, the group toured Europe where it recorded Yarira Ngoma.
According to Thomas, the Europe tour opened new doors for the outfit.
“We played in London, Manchester, Brixton, Strewsbury, Butter Market and Scotland in Glasgow at St Andrews University.
“Our hit songs comprised Yarira Ngoma, Doro Ndimambara, Serious Men, Party Night, African Jive and Kumusha,” he added.
Frontline Kids was a star-studded outfit, which made waves both locally and aboard.
Sadly, the group disbanded with band members pursuing solo projects.
Some of the band members have since passed away, while others are still alive.
Thomas, who also led the group, has decided to concentrate on God’s ministry while Prof Zindi is now a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe.
He also assists a number of artistes on consultancy basis and he still loves music.