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). Quotes Gospel music in Zimbabwe has taken centre stage for a long time and it’s never going to recede. It has become broader and it’s now adequately represented across age, regional and congregational divides. Gospel music is the music of today and tomorrow. It’s an amazing line-up. Thanks to Minister M Mahendere and the team for the invitation. There’s definitely something for everyone. It’s an event not to miss. Although we are privileged to have a remarkably long stay in gospel music, we don’t always stay in the past. It will be a joy to minister in oneness, as a team with the newer generations. We are just presenting that which the Lord packaged in us, music that refuses to fade away. Old and new. We want people to experience God in a deeper way while celebrating the gift of gospel music. GOSPEL MUSIC IS HERE TO STAY, SAYS ICON CHARLES CHARAMBA,June 18 2026 There were seriously talented individuals then in the industry in the likes of Leonard Dembo, Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, Alick Macheso was still with Khiama Boys and Leonard Zhakata among others.  This generation had taken music seriously and it was difficult for a new comer to make a mark. Few artistes were singing gospel music then, and the marketing department at Gramma Records wanted music that would boost their sales. I was only recorded after they were convinced by veteran music producer Bothwell Nyamondera. I recorded two singles and it did relatively well. However, my breakthrough came in 1997 when I recorded Tinashe Akatendeka.  The video of the song Mhinduro iripo did exceptionally well and things started to shape up for me. I discarded the notion that gospel music is supposed to somber. I love God and I love music, so I had to do songs that I enjoyed to sing. That is why my genre was fast paced and enjoyable. For several years, I was among the top selling three artistes in the country, and this was an exceptional achievement for a gospel artiste. People have been asking why I seemed to be quite, it was because I was improving myself as a person. While the album did not do well in the country, it opened avenues in other countries where it was played. I managed to put Zimbabwe on the map and I got royalties. As I was growing up, I had musicians that I looked up to. Sometimes I would imitate them, but it is wrong to lie to fans that it is my work while it is someone else. Charles Charamba goes down memory lane,August 25 2017 I was born and bred in Mudzi and did both my primary and high school at Masarakufa. I have six siblings and happen to be the only surviving male child of my parents. My Christian faith is a very important aspect of my life and I was baptised in 1989. Because of that, my music is firmly rooted in Christianity though I started composing church songs in 1988. While much of my growing-up was in Mudzi, I relocated to Harare in 1991 to seek greener pastures and find purpose in my life. It is in Harare that I met the love of my life Olivia and eventually married in 1997. I grew up with both a gift of singing and composing. My parents were also good singers and because of that background, I became the youngest choir member at my school when I was in grade six. I then started recording in 1995, on February 2 to be precise. While I respect the genre choices of other musicians, my choice of a genre is a calling and I don’t see myself switching to something else. I received a call to centre on Christian music and that with other factors are my motivational backdrops. I met Mai Charamba at church after she had relocated from Gweru following her father’s death. We became acquainted to each other through common activities that include singing in the choir, being members of an outreach team and belonging to the same youth group. I then invited her to join Fishers of Men after she had shown  keen interest in my style of singing. When I prayed for a spouse, the Holy Spirit led me to her and we eventually dated and got married. I toe the line that I, was shown by the Lord. I however, can’t boast that I am an exceptional character, the grace of God has escorted me all the way. Personally, I value mixing principles, rule of thumb standards and a sense of excellence. I revere God such that I weigh my activities and products against the quality that God is, though it may not be practically achievable all times.  ‘If God comes in person to listen to my song, would He take any pleasure?’, is an example of the questions that keep me agitated for better standards. It is never easy staying grounded and on course in a career awash with its own challenges, but I thank God for seeing me through. Grace is the major factor really. I also have made a choice to be satisfied with anything that God grants. I have always shunned competition. I love to be my own person though I socialise. I have told myself that I beat nobody musically and that no one beats me because we have never been set on a race with the same terrain, length and weather conditions. I also thank God for my wife who is there to partner with me even on the formal side of things. Her presence plays a role in guarding me morally. Character has a bearing in music to some extent. It’s relative to the type of music that a person specialises on. Generally, delinquent behaviour cuts short longevity and I really thank God that He has kept me this far and He still continues to lead and guide my path. The Lord implanted in us the idea to preach elsewhere from AFM, the church which nurtured us since childhood, and we listened. We seek to just do the will of God who called us and we have received the grace to start well though some resources are inadequate. Rooted in Christ is our name and the major preoccupation is preaching a simplified gospel to the common man. We believe in the power of music to minister hope and salvation to all and for that reason we will continue giving ourselves to gospel music ministration. There is a lot in store in relation to music, more releases are coming and we hope to introduce various other concepts to grow the mission. I have released about 13 albums to date, but we don’t have plans to quit. The gospel must reach all corners of the world and we are happy to be employing this two-pronged approach through music and Rooted in Christ Ministries. Our children are all musical and gifted differently though they have a lot in common. They seem to realise that the calling of Abraham is the calling of Isaac and Jacob as well. We are not pushing them to take up music as a career as such, but we are guiding them appropriately in case they choose to. I think the future of gospel music is safe, not just referring to our children, but also a lot of youths who are showing signs of being God-loving artistes. Baba Charamba’s Big 50 reflections,May 2 2021 External links Category:Gospel singers Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:Singers from Zimbabwe