Lovemore Majaivana
Lovemore Majaivana (born Lovemore Tshuma) is one of the most popular Zimbabwean Musicians to come from Bulawayo. Majaivana became one of the most popular musicians in post-independence Zimbabwe, He is held in the same regard as the legends Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi. Majaivana has since quit music, and moved to work in other jobs in USA. The word Majaivana means Great Dancer. Lovemore who was nicknamed 'majaivana' for his dancing prowess, was born on the 4th of December 1954 in Mambo Township, Gweru. but was raised in Bulawayo. His father was a priest in a local church while his mother led the church choir. Majaivana started off singing at an early age, in 1968, when he would sing in the church choir in which his father was a minister. At 15, he became a drummer in a local Bulawayo band. He would make a short stay at the band as he soon relocated to Harare resulting in him giving up drumming. His parents were against singing but Majaivana would sneak out in the evenings to rehearse with groups such as The High Chords and the Echoes, performing as thier lead singer. His parents only discovered his talent when he won the best vocalist slot at the Trade Fair in 1977. With his parents' approval, he became a regular at places such as Honde Valley Hotel and Marisha Nightclub he became popular in the Bulawayo vicinity. This however, made him move from the band's shadow to become a competent solo artist. Majaivana then began to parade nightclubs singing Tom Jones and Elvis Presley songs. After a while, Majaivana then went back to Bulawayo and performed with the Marisha band for four years after which he returned to Harare and formed his own band, 'The Jobs Combination'. Together with the band, Majaivana instantly became popular with songs such as Angilamali, Isizungu and Isitmela which were social commentary songs. The band later disbanded forcing Majaivana to join an already established band 'The Zulus' which was from Victoria Falls, and renamed Bachise in 1984. Majaivana and his band went on to release their first album which had original sounds that had no western influence. The album had the hit song 'Salanini Zinini' that made the band popular. Majaivana, quit music in 2001 when he went to America to pursue business interests.
Afro Pop
