Gumbura ‘s children form a band

Twelve of the incarcerated Independent End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura’s 33 children have shown their musical talent and ventured into music.

The Gumbura Band is the latest addition to Zimbabwe’s growing gospel music family, and the upbeat siblings say the sky is the limit as they are proving to be a hit at public events in Harare and its environs.

Through music, the Gumbura siblings said, they were putting behind them the sorrows of living without a father­figure in their lives as the gospel melodies had a therapeutic effect.

They said their musical compositions are influenced by their father whom they hold dear to their hearts. 

“We have found joy, solace and comfort in music,” said 16­ year ­old Titus Gumbura, who plays the keyboards for the band, during an interview at the family’s home in Marlborough, Harare, yesterday.

Titus, Gumbura’s eldest son who appeared to have taken over his father’s bastion family roles, is fronting the band, made up of eight of his sisters and three of his young brothers who are still in primary school.

The eight girls, who mainly provide the vocals, are Zinzile (16), Zvikomborero (18), Zinhle (16), Kezia (15), Keren (18), Kimberley (14) Wongaishe (13), Milcah (15), Jemima (15) and Zoe (19). On the instruments are Garainesuishe (12) on drums, Munesuishe (12) on bass guitar and Batainashe (12) on the lead guitar.

All the 12 children are enrolled at Tynwald Primary and Secondary schools where they are members of their respective school choirs.

“So, much has happened to our family following the arrest and subsequent incarceration of our dad,” said Titus. “Music has proved to be therapeutic, it is comforting and we are happy that we are able to bond, and at the same time provide entertainment to legions of fans out there.

“The inspiration came from our father.” Though the group is still fairly new on the musical scene, it has had its fair share of rave reviews following its debut performance at First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe’s rally that was held in Mbare, Harare, a fortnight ago.

For a group that was making its maiden public appearance, the Gumbura Band held its own when it performed an accappella song, Amazing Grace, which they composed for the First Lady in honour of her philanthropic activities.

With the eight sisters providing vocals and dancing, while the male quartet stomped their feet and clapped in unison, they gave out a polished act before legions of Zanu­PF supporters at the rally. On Thursday, the Gumbura Band took its act to the first national empowerment conference at the City Sports Centre in Harare, where it serenaded youths who had gathered to attend the event.

Although the youths have played at several other private functions, it is probably the two functions that have announced their arrival. “We are novices in the music industry, but the response we have been receiving has been good,” said 16­year­old Zinhle.

From a musical group that started off as a mere praise and worship choir in their father’s ministry, the Gumbura Band is asserting itself in the musical industry and plans to change the gospel music landscape.

With their sisterly and brotherly bond, the Gumbura Band members say they have more than 30 unrecorded compositions, 12 of them prepared especially for the grand occasion on the date of their father’s release.

“We are taking music seriously,” said Titus. “Yes, we have dreams, aspirations and goals we intend to fulfil once we finish school, but music will always be our first love.”

It is for that reason that they take their musical practice seriously during the course of the week and during school holidays.

Source-Online