Jane Michel destined for stars
It feels good being accorded this opportunity in the new year to share my life experience with you.
I might not be a household name in Zimbabwe but I hope my music will do the talking and help to redeem lost souls.
As a gospel artiste, I have seen quite a lot and below is my detailed profile. Read on…
Profile
I was born and raised in Rusape.
I am the first born in a family of six girls and one boy.
As a little girl I found hope in Christ and my mum said I encouraged her to attended church.
We attended St Bartholomew Anglican Church and it was here where my faith was strengthened.
The late Reverend Nerwande saw this desire to serve in me and I became the first female server on his team.
I took this seriously and each time I attended church and served, joy enveloped me for days to come
Vision
My vision is to share this joy of the Lord with as many people as possible. We are living in challenging times: socially, economically, politically, environmentally and spiritually. The Lord is never changing, and the joy of the Lord gives us strength and hope to forge ahead and overcome
Inspiration
Growing up we sang at home, and I also sang in the church choir. As a young girl around 12, serving in the Anglican church I was allowed to attend an all night prayer. That was an exception. My parents were very strict and did not allow me to attend such events. On this particular day, God heard my prayer. I was allowed to attend with some other women from our church. The all-night prayer was held at St Matthew’s church in Vengere, Rusape.
Different vabvuwi groups came to sing and I remember one particular vabvuwi group from Nyanga. They were given the floor and one elderly man leapt up and started to sing. He previously had been walking slowly revealing all the signs of advanced age.
Wakati opinda mumwoyo wangu. Jesu
akati opinda, ini ndonzwa kufara.
The once limping and bent old men came to life and started jumping and singing with joy and the whole place was transformed. One of the elderly men was then introduced to me as an uncle, sekuru Nyamukungwa. Some of the men had no teeth, but when they leapt into song and dance and playing hosho and ngoma, their countenance changed to love, hope, peace and joy.
It was on this day that I told myself I would love to transport that joy of the Lord in such a profound way one day.
Aspirations
I have always wanted to help the sick and suffering and that led me to nursing. I trained at Harare Central Hospital 1990-1992 and then worked in different positions till I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Health Services Management and Nursing Education, followed by a Masters degree in Public Health and recently a PhD in Epidemiology. Alleviating pain and suffering and bringing joy and hope do go hand in hand, and I am grateful for the opportunity God has provided me. Music an international language
Music is an international language. One does not have to speak Shona or a specific language to enjoy the music. Gospel and singing is in our blood, and I praise God that my kids aged 23 and 25 both sing. I am married and a mother of two and I cannot stress how grateful I am that my kids fell in love with gospel music, played and sung at home and at church. I would like to encourage families not to forget to sing and dance together; that is a heritage we should cultivate.
Singing is fulfilling, singing is stimulating, singing is reviving, singing is invigorating, singing is healing, singing is redeeming, singing soothes, singing refocuses, singing nourishes soul, body and spirit.
Role models
I listen to Sinach, Vine song, Lynda Randle, Jenny Johnson, Judy Jacobs, Nathaniel Bassey and Vabvuwi and other Shona artists of course
Releases
We sing when we are happy, dejected, sad, thoughtful or contemplative. My songs span across these themes. I have released three songs so far. I know the plans I have for you.
Mundijekesere- a song dedicated to my sister Barbara who succumbed to breast cancer and to all those that lost their loved ones to cancers, accidents, COVID-19, and diseases all sorts. Despite the losses, we have hope in Christ
My sister Barbara left a three-year-old behind
Music is an integral part of life and so the next releases scheduled for early 2021 are a birthday song, wedding song and song to get strength when life throws its curves at us and a song dedicated to my mum and other mothers, women of faith- mothers unions, chita.
Happy moments
One happy moment was taking part as a Shona gospel group at the international Christmas celebration in Bern, Switzerland.
Another happy moment was taking part in the International Prayer Day 2019 and stand in for Zimbabwe. Prayer works and joining with other women world-wide and praying for Zimbabwe meant a lot to me. I believe God has good plans for our country and we should keep praying.
Embarassing moments
I am new in the field, not much has happened and Covid-19 meant no live performances etc. I am sure such moment will come and will share these in future
Role in Creating Covid-19 Awareness
I love people. Covid-19 is real and not being on the ground I would like to connect with my people and understand their perception of Covid-19 and how this is affecting their daily lives and what the local solutions to the problem are.
I have written a few articles on Covid-19 as an epidemiologist
Message to Zimbabwe
Covid-19 is real, hunger and unemployment are real too. What can be done to combat Covid-19? All-encompassing local solutions based on trust, information, education and communication, are needed involving all stakeholders, the people, the authorities, NGOs and business people.
Artists grounded by Covid-19
Covid-19 is real but do not lose hope. Our God is real too. Make the best out of the time, produce more songs, share hope, diversify and when the time comes, you are better off than when Covid-19 hit.
Other talents
I love people and I love to learn and find solutions to challenges. I love to explore what policies work, where and for whom. Implementation science particularly health policies is my passion.
People I want to thank
Without my grandmothers, Ambuya Gojo, my mum, Ambuya Irene Gundani, Ambuya Masaraure in Rusape, my many aunts and other women of faith that have invested in me, I would not be here. Ndinotenda amai nemi mose.
Future and international scene
My songs are in Shona and English and that way I hope to connect with other people of faith now that English has become the world language. I want to share with as many people as possible that the Joy of the Lord is our Strength.
Thank You!
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