Charles Charamba

Charles Charamba (born 27 April 1971) is a Zimbabwean gospel musician and a former pastor in the Apostolic Faith Mission Church of Zimbabwe (AFM). He has since started his church. Charamba's albums have been the top selling gospel music in Zimbabwe since the early 2000s.[1][2][3] He has toured both Great Britain and the United States, and throughout southern Africa.[4] One of Charamba's most famous songs is "Machira Chete".[2][5] His wife, Olivia (née Maseko), is also a gospel singer, and appears with him on stage and on his albums; they are often called the "First Family of Gospel". According to Chinoitezvi Honour Charles charamba lives in The Surbub of Gunhill in Harare. His children are also talented in music.[6]

Charles Charamba
Born (1971-04-27) 27 April 1971
NationalityZimbabwean
Occupation(s)Musician, Pastor, Songwriter, Producer
SpouseOlivia (née Maseko)

Early life and education

Charamba was born in Mudzi District, which is now in Mashonaland East Province.[4] He attended Masarakufa Primary School and Masarakufa Secondary School in Mudzi, completing his O-Levels.[4] In 1998, Charamba began his studies at the Living Waters Bible College in Tynwald, Harare, where he received his bachelor's degree in theology.[4] Well after his rise to gospel music stardom, he returned to college and in 2011 received a "National Certificate in Music" from the Zimbabwe College of Music.[4] In 2013, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in jazz from Africa University.[7]

Fraud charges

In August 2004, Charamba along with his banker Sebastian Mupa at the Agricultural Development Bank of Zimbabwe (Agribank) were charged with fraud in the execution of a $40 million loan,[8] bail was eventually set at $1 million.[9] However, after further investigation the charges were dropped.[10]

Music

Charamba's gospel music contains elements of sungura, jazz and jit.[4][11] It can be laid back, or vivid with traditional beats such as mbakumba and mhande.[12]

Originally Charamba recorded on the Gramma Label. But after gaining sufficient capital, he built his own studio and began putting his albums out under his own label "Fishers of Men".[13]

Songs

Charamba's hit songs include:[4][5]

  • "Machira Chete"
  • "Sarudzai",
  • "Masimba Ndeenyu",
  • "Kumakomo Uko",
  • "Handidi Naye",
  • "Tauya Kuzomutenda".
  • "Buruka"
  • "Nyika
  • "Mhinduro Iripo"

the calling of desciples

  • "Abba Father"

Albums

Charamba's albums include:[3][4][14]

  • Tinashe Akatendeka (1997)
  • Johanne 3:16 (1998)
  • Vhuserere (2000)
  • Exodus (2001)
  • Sunday Service (2002)
  • Verses and Chapters (2004)
  • New Testament in Song (2007)
  • Pashoko Pangoma (2010)
  • WeNazareta (2014)
  • Abba Father (2017)[15]

Notes
  1. "Top Album: Fishers of Men". New Music Weekly (ZimAudio). 6 October 2006. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014.
  2. "Pirates haunt Charamba . . . as fake album hits the streets". The Herald. Harare, Zimbabwe. 3 December 2013. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014.
  3. Chikova, Lovemore (2015). "1990-2000: Emergence of 'sungura' gospel music". The Herald. Harare, Zimbabwe: Zimpapers (Pvt) Ltd. Archived from the original on 26 April 2015.
  4. Zindi, Fred (3 October 2011). "Let Charamba be an inspiration to many". The Herald. Harare, Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
  5. "Pastor Charamba fumes at King Shaddy". Real Zim News Magazine. 17 December 2013. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
  6. "Charambas off to Hwange, Vic Falls". The Herald. Harare, Zimbabwe. 10 October 2012. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
  7. "Charles Charamba graduates". The Herald. Harare, Zimbabwe. 30 July 2013. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013.
  8. "Gospel singer Charamba held in $40 million fraud probe". New Zimbabwe News. Harare, Zimbabwe. 2003. Archived from the original on 6 December 2004.
  9. "Bail set at $1m for gospel musician Charamba". New Zimbabwe News. 11 December 2009. Archived from the original on 1 September 2004.
  10. "Attorney General stops Charamba prosecution". New Zimbabwe News. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
  11. Sibanda, Maxwell (15 January 2012). "Our music knows no boundaries: Charambas". The Daily News. Harare, Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012.
  12. "Pastor Charles and Olivia Charamba". Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
  13. "Latest Must Have For Zim Musicians: Studio". The Financial Gazette. Harare, Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
  14. Khosa, Trust (26 June 2009). "Gospel supremo releases sub standard album". Zimbabwe Online Press. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
  15. "Charamba's new album finally out". New Zimbabwe News. 30 August 2014. Archived from the original on 2 September 2014.
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