VICTOR KUNONGA @50
HE was born in Shurugwi and raised in Bulawayo.
Hwedza is the place he calls his rural home while his mother is from Masvingo.
Now a revered jazz crooner, Victor Kunonga has settled in Harare. He is also a body-building enthusiast, graphic designer and life coach.
• REFLECTIONS
He will be releasing his sixth album, Induna, to be launched at Sherwood Golf Club tomorrow.
It carries 11 tracks - Ngizongena, Sokhela,
Lomuhle, Hushamwari, Chiedza, Olomusa, Vakuru, Siyaphambili, Parudo, Manyepo and Uzobusiswa.
“This is the present for the people of Matabeleland, as I celebrate my 50th birthday this year. I grew up in Bulawayo and learnt marimba, guitar and vocals in the city.
“I started doing music in Grade 6 and later pursued it in high school. I only came to Harare where I perfected it but everything started in Bulawayo where I was raised,” he said. He added:
“It’s quite unfortunate that I don’t get to be invited to take part in some functions held in
Bulawayo as people think I am a Harare boy.
“I have always wanted to do something for the people in Matabeleland and Induna is your present. I can’t afford to let them down after all they did for me.”
• CREATIVE PROCESS
Kunonga says his childhood and upbringing have an impact on his creative processes.
“I can say I was exposed to the rural set-up, ghetto life, in a Ndebele set-up.
“It helped me a lot in my career and I can safely say I have been evolving very fast, which saw me captaining the Marimba band at high school before I went to an art school.
“I later did advertising and graphic designing, which is still done at the moment. I also do jingles and other concepts,” he said.
• CHARITY WORK
“I have been moving around refurbishing public toilets and evidence is there for people to see for themselves.
“I have also visited all my former schools holding campaigns against drug abuse, among other challenges. I will do everything to help the young people outside there who need my expertise.”