The reason why God gives human beings talents is for them to serve each other. The idea comes from that a single man can not handle and be good in everything, otherwise he will be a “Jack of all trades and master of none”. So each man distinctly specialise to enable exchange of expertise. We are mortals too there isn’t enough time to master everything.
Papa Sodza born Walter Sonayi is one talented musician who discovered his talent while growing up in the south eastern part of Zimbabwe in Chipinge. The area is a native land of the Ndau people. Far away from the capital of Zimbabwe you would wonder how he mastered music which he probably listened to on the radio. Tracing back to the time he grew up power was scarce, there wasn’t any electricity connection in most rural areas. Solar energy is a recent invention so people relied on batteries to power their radios.
Most of the time the battery was reserved for news and soccer commentaries when particularly fathers would want to know about their soccer teams. The time to hear most of the hit songs was spared for the townships where the shop owners invested to attract customers.
So for me to suggest that Papa Sodza ended up on the microphone because he had no choice after admiring the life of trending musicians of that time, wouldn’t be convincing. Papa Sodza says he started singing while he was still in high school back in Chipinge. Though he pursued Architectural Studies after school, that did not deter him to continue with music.
Papa Sodza’s isn’t different from those musicians who made it big worldwide. This made me reach to the hypothesis that most celebrated musicians are chosen from humble beginnings. Looking closer in our country many talented musicians have a story to tell. Thomas Mapfumo grew up in the dusty rural landscape of Chihota herding his uncle's cattle. Aleck Macheso is another product from the rural areas of Shamva were he used to play a hand made banjo guitar. The list is endless of musicians whose talent manifested away from the glint and glamour of the capital city.
Fame these days seem to be drawing most people to try music. This move is killing the quality of our music and competitiveness. Even when one hasn’t got a convincing talent the studios are recording as long as money has been paid. With the rising technology vocals are being auto tuned to sync with instruments. The jostling for airplay is fierce.
Judging by the number of people who have taken the music route there has been a srtong argument that people are flocking because it is a trade of uneducated people who have nothing else to do. The argument will be put into crystal pieces if you look at the educational qualifications Papa Sodza has. He had this to say when I asked if he believed in the argument held by many, “I don’t believe that, Globally we have very Educated Musicians”. Koffi Olomide is a good example. Papa Sodza went further to say Architectural designing is art as there are many artistic impressions and creativeness involved. It is very easy for Papa Sodza to balance between between the two careers because he is used to creativity after all.
Papa Sodza has 8 albums to his name, he reiterated that he would like to pursue music and be recognised worldwide just like what Oliver Mtukudzi did. He has lay unstoppable plans. Each and every year he releases music. His die hard slogan is that the entertainment platform hasn’t got permanent players “things change my time is yet to come”. Adding on to that, if talents are meant to serve I am sure God is stowing him an opportunity.
In the current scenario Papa Sodza decries the lack of music promoters and investors as an adverse to the rise of good music. I also understand from my many years in the music trade, real stars are made, the individualism in the Zimbabwean music sector scatters talent. Musicians should be working in stables were screening should be taking place to allow the best in the market. Some musicians are buying relevance. Papa Sodza believes in honest demand for his music as buying airplay defeats the concept of serving the society. He has never attempted to buy airplay otherwise if he did there wasn’t any musician who would have been as popular as him because he can afford to pay.
True to his calling Papa Sodza would like to serve his country and community with composition angles that heal the society, he also wouldn't mind entertaining an agitated soul back to sanity. Papa Sodza plays an Afro Fusion that has some Congolese and Nigerian influence. Papa Sodza’s music can be downloaded from his YouTube channel Papa Sodza Official since there aren’t any existing distribution channels in our country. Hook up with Papa Sodza on his WhatsApp messenger on the link below.
https://wa.me/263774450946
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