I was born Clive Malunga, although Malunga is my totem (Shiri, Hungwe, Matapatira, Masarirambi, Chatibwege). My real surname is Antonio. My father came from Mozambique, a town called Villa Zumbo. We are of the Chikunda tribe.

I was born on November 25, 1960. I was born on a farm called Valley or Kingsdale Farm, some five kilometres from the town of Norton. I did my primary school education at St Eric’s in Norton.

Both my late mother and father were domestic workers at Kingsdale Farm. I worked very hard to run away from the environment which I grew up in by trying to be a soccer player, but I settled for music as a career.

I joined the music industry in 1985, and I released a vinyl single called Marimba Jive. It was just an ice breaker, it did not take me anywhere. Through perseverance, I managed to strike the right chord in 1997, when I recorded the album Nesango.

In 1992, we formed Jenaguru Arts Centre. That same year we launched the first Jenaguru Music Festival at Harare Gardens. It was very successful. In 1993, we moved the Jenaguru Music Festival to Gwanzura Stadium.

Our last festival was staged at the National Sports Stadium. We invited musical groups from the United States, Egypt, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi and South Africa.

Jenaguru Arts Centre started doing cultural exchange programmes in Japan in 2002. We were also invited to perform in South Korea, on a music school cultural exchange programme. Because of the corona virus pandemic this year, we cancelled our tour to South Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

We are also selling our CDs and DVDs in South Korea and Japan. We are doing extremely well. We are currently working with the Zimbabwe government to produce a short film, Nesango.

I am also working with music engineers and producers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Genuine representation in Parliament

First and foremost, we must have a genuine representative in Parliament and the minister in charge of arts and culture must be in a
position to answer any questions or queries pertaining to the arts industry. We need a very strong union of musicians.

For all that I have mentioned, the final responsibility lies with the musicians themselves. Musicians must unite, for (us) them to speak with
one voice. Jenaguru Music Festival from 1992 to 2005 brought musicians from all walks of life, for one common cause, which is unity.

Strength is in numbers, divided we fall.

Musical journey

As much as you may be a good musician, if you are not lucky, you will not realise your dreams. I happened to be very lucky to come across a diplomat from Japan who understood my story and situation.

This great woman has managed to carry us this far. Jenaguru Arts Centre has done great work through this woman called Tomoko Takahashi. I was discovered by a foreigner, when my fellow comrades were supposed to respond to my request. I give praise and honour to our Almighty God. In 1995 at Gwanzura Stadium, the late Cde Nathan Shamhuyarira and his wife came to the Jenaguru Music Festival to honour Thomas Mapfumo with a 21-carat gold medal.

It was electric, the fans were on fire. It was also a great honour for Jenaguru Arts Centre to apply to the University of Zimbabwe for Mapfumo and Ambuya Stella Rambisai Chiweshe to be conferred with honorary degrees.