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Nyore Madzianike  Senior Reporter

ZIMBABWE-born percussionist and mbira player Gabriel Konyai Makamanzi, who ditched the late Andy Brown’s band in 2002 during their European tour, is making waves in the United Kingdom with his traditional music and teaching lessons.

Makamanzi, who is based in London, has since formed his own outfit, Afresh Band that has been performing at different festivals across the UK. Known as Sekuru Makamanzi, the mbira musician has since been enlisted by the BBC to perform during a kids channel — CBeebies TV Show — hosted by Yolanda Brown.

Born in 1979 in Chayamiti, Chimanimani, Sekuru Makamanzi said he was now one of the most sought-after traditional music players in London.

“I first realised that there was light at the end of the tunnel when I was invited to perform at a function where the leaders of main political parties in Ireland first met for talks sometime in 2003,” revealed Sekuru Makamanzi from his London base.

“When I left Ireland for London, I then started performing with various artistes as I was also building my band. I now have a band called Afresh Band that comprises other Zimbabweans, and we are working with other artistes from Zimbabwe and across Africa. Afresh Band has participated at various music festivals here in London. It is here where I met Thomas Mapfumo before he invited me for a show.

“The light is continuing to shine for the Afresh Band after BBC invited us to perform at one of the popular kids shows here in London. This is a clear sign that our music is being appreciated her in the Diaspora,” he said.

He also revealed that he teamed up with Ugandan David Maganda and Zakele Makalaza from South Africa and wrote a book titled “Out of Africa” that is available on Amazon.

He said the book dwells on their African life experiences. Sekuru Makamanzi is currently in the studio with various African artistes, including songstress Shingai Shonhiwa, working on an album which they expect to release before the end of the year.

“Our plans are to make sure that our traditional music reaches all parts of the world.

“People out here also love our traditional music, which is why it is becoming popular in the Diaspora,” he said.

Sekuru Makamanzi started off his music career at Matsangura Bottle Store in Mbare as a solo musician. He later met nearly forgotten musician Tambaoga of the “Hondo YeMinda” fame. He stayed with Tambaoga in Chitungwiza for a few years before joining Andy Brown’s band. “I was performing at the Book Cafe with my band in Harare when I was approached by Andy Brown, asking me if we could assist in the production of Tambaoga’s album, which consisted songs “Hondo Yeminda”, “Agreement” and “Machembere” produced by Andy Brown at Ngaavongwe Studios.

“It was Andy Brown who christened me Sekuru Makamanzi during the production of Tambaoga’s album. We then clicked, and he literally stole me from Tambaoga to join his band.

“Sometime in December 2002, we travelled to the United Kingdom with Andy Brown, who advised me and others to remain behind upon his return to Harare. The late Andy Brown came up with the whole idea that we stay behind, a secret many people were not aware of,” he revealed.

Sekuru Makamanzi said he moved to Ireland after being invited by the late Andy Brown’s friend. We then started a group called Talking Drums before I formed Afresh Band in 2005. We toured, Ireland performing at gigs and workshops where we were teaching in schools on how to play drums, mbira, hosho and marimba.

“It was during that time when I was invited to play at a function where the then Ireland Prime Minister Ian Pearsley and his deputy Martin Mcguiness acknowledged our community’s work in Ireland. I later moved to London where I first met Thomas Mapfumo at a show in Belfast,” he said.