Celebrity – Sha Sha

If singer and songwriter Charmaine “Sha Sha” Mapimbiro’s EP Blossom is anything to go by, then her fans are in for a treat. Here’s what we learnt about the 25-year-old star

Growing up, I didn’t know that I would end up in the music industry. Music has been a part of my life for a long time. I started singing in choirs and eventually learnt how to play instruments. But, not once did I see it as a career. It all started with me recording in my spare time, just to keep busy. A friend then took one of my songs to one of the biggest radio stations in Zimbabwe. It was played on air, and people really loved it. Only then did I start looking at music as a possible career. But, I already knew that I loved it, and was passionate about it.

I grew up in a serene environment, surrounded by a loving community. People in Zimbabwe are filled with so much love that it is overwhelming and heart-warming. They could meet any stranger from around the world, and greet them affectionately. I continue with the culture and carry that love even through my music.

Just a year ago, I was recording music just for the fun of it. Only a handful of people knew my name. But now, my life is completely different, and I get booked to perform on a regular basis. This is a welcome and exciting change.

At the moment, music takes up a huge part of my life. But, this also mainly depends on the time of year. December is the official party season, hence I end up performing at a lot of gigs. The scene then gets quiet thereafter, affording me the opportunity to hit the studio and record music. Because I am currently going through this phase, I am busy in studio recording my album. But, as big a part of my life as music is, I still try to make time for my family.

Witnessing a homeless man sharing his bread with birds was the most heart-warming sight I once came across. Even though he didn’t have much, he still shared. Additionally, the experience made me realise that if he could do that with the little he had, then there was nothing stopping us from doing more with the abundant blessings that have been bestowed upon us.

I am not much of a TV person. But, I would definitely not watch the MTV show Ridiculousness. This is so much so that I even cringe every time I see the promos. I feel uncomfortable watching someone getting hurt. How is that a form of entertainment for anyone?

If I could, I would spend most of my time on an island, somewhere — be it the Maldives or Bora Bora. If there is a beach, with crystal-clear water and white sand, I’m in! Just imagining the scenery is soothing. That would be even better in reality.

Going to the gym is something that we should all do, at least once in our lives [chuckles]. Jokes! Everyone should instead do what they love once in their lives. Many people do the things they are not happy about on a daily basis. But, you really don’t want to spend the rest of your life doing the same old thing and routine, especially when it isn’t even bringing you joy. You might as well just do what you love.

Hearing the crowd singing along to my music — word for word — is an experience I wish I could erase from my mind. I want to erase it so I can experience it for the first time, over and over again. This gets even better when, as the artist, you are no longer singing but just listening to the crowd. I remember once standing in awe, and listening to the crowd singing back. That can really be a beautiful and fulfilling moment where you are so overwhelmed with joy that you want to cry. Those moments tend to solidify that your passion and hard work weren’t in vain.

If I could make a 20-second phone call to myself, at any point in my life, I would call Sha Sha in 2009. I would tell her to believe in herself more, trust her intuition, calm down and focus. In that year, I was a very hard-headed teenager. Additionally, it took a while for me to open up and let people in because I was shy. So, I would also tell her to be more confident.

In my circle of friends, I play the role of the blunt adviser.

I tell it like it is, but do so with a touch of goofiness. Although at times the goofiness can be too much, it really is needed. With that said, I can also be too nice. There have been times in my life where I was too nice, even when I shouldn’t have. So, I have had to develop a thick skin, be it in my personal life or the music industry.

I will never again perform without first checking in at the accommodation. I made that mistake once, and the accommodation ended up being mediocre — and this is me being polite. I learn a life-long lesson from that bad experience, and will not be repeating the same mistake twice.