By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Bana Des As, is a rhumba group made up of 12 Congolese members.
Bana Des As simply means Children of the Stars (Bana children) and Des As means (the stars).
So popular is the group for their well-choreographed dances and scintillating rhumba music which they effortlessly deliver.
The group came to Zimbabwe in 1997 from Zambia at the invitation of Real Sounds of Africa who at the time was one of the biggest music promoter in the country.
Later on, after the contract with the Real Sounds of Africa expired, the group decided to look for another promoter.
This time, the group was welcomed by Ziki, who at the time was the biggest music promoter based in Karoi.
Under Ziki, Bana Des As toured in and around Karoi performing sold out concerts in Magunje, Chinhoyi and even Kariba.
As the popularity of the group grew so was their hunger for success such that Karoi became “too small” for them.
It was then that Bana Des As moved to Harare having parted with Ziki who they called their father. Ziki almost took care of the band’s daily upkeep from accommodation to providing music kit and the outfits.
When the group announced to Ziki that it was time to move to greener pastures, he agreed and wished them well.
Once the group was settled in Harare in 2008, the group was lucky to get a new contract with one Energy Mutodi who at the time was starting a career in music.
According to Mutodi, music was the best way to make himself known to people because had had political ambitions and linked to the then vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Added to this, Mutodi had a thriving real estate business enough to bank roll his ambitions.
So together with Bana Des As as his backing group Mutodi’s career was off to a good start.
Mutodi started off a rhumba artist. Together with Bana Des As they released two rhumba albums but soon he was to sing Sungura music, a genre popular in Zimbabwe.
According to Nyam Nyam or Baba MaTwins, a long serving member of Bana Des As, Mutodi changed from rhumba to Sungura because he wanted to be part of the Famous Big Five Artistes in Zimbabwe.
The Big Five was a term used by promoters Partson Chipa Chimbodza and Josh Hozheri and it included the likes of Oliver Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso, Tongai Moyo, Suluman Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah at the time.
With the demise of Tongai Moyo, Mutodi saw a gap which he wanted to fill within the Big Five artistes.
So Mutodi made wholesome changes to his group and replaced Bana Des As with other session musicians who were well versed with Sungura music the likes of bassist Spencer Khumulani who was formerly with Utakataka Express, Tongo Moyo’s backing group.
“We remained as Bana Des As and continued as a rhumba outfit. We parted ways with Mutodi but it was amicable,” the lanky Nyami Nyami said.
There are 12 members who make up Bana Des As including two rappers — Cedrick Katumba and Shilaver.
The other memebrs are John the drummer, John Mushatu, Dudu Kashunga, Adolf Kayembe, Pitshou Kisoya and Nyam Nyam.
There are two senior members who are ex-Lubumbashi Stars members Kapiya and Kanyinda who provide the old skool type of rhumba which is melodious such as Sina Makosa and Shauri Yako.
“They have become part of us and wherever we go to we go together. The beauty of Bana Des As is that we are all Congolese and we inspire each other,” Nyam Nyam said.
Bana Des As are now based at ZimCafe, but if they are not performing some of its members perform at churches bringing rhumba flair to Christ.
Since they settled in Zimbabwe, the group has made Harare its home and often they also include Shona chants in their songs besides English, Lingala, KiSwahili and French.
A new single titled Lokola Pata Musokola will be launched before year end at ZimCafe.
Bana Des As have so far released three albums namely: Qui Peur Gange, Aerge Machinda and Evenenent.
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