By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Minister Michael Mahendere says he went into solitary confinement following the demise of Pax Afro.
In an interview with Power FM hostess Chamvary on The Centre Stage, the gospel star who was part of the super group Pax Afro where he met two of his mentors — Isaac Chirwa, a renowned music producer and Gideon Zamimba, said the two helped shape his career.
“When Pax Afro closed I think that was the defining moment of my career. I went into hiding, I got into serious prayer life mainly alone, I didn’t have friends, I was just in prayer and I was lonely,” he explained.
“I believe that is when Minister was birthed and also some of the songs were birthed. And everything that I am today was because I went through the process and learnt a lot while I was with Pax Afro because that is where I met Isaac Chirwa, a great producer whom I always mention and also Gideon Zamimba.”
True to his word, Minister Mahendere blew up with the release of Manaka Jesu, a song which dominated the gospel charts for a year setting its own record.
“All these songs which you hear were written when I went through the process of self-discovery songs such as Ndinokudai Mweya Mutsvene, Halleluha, Mwari Mundondigonera and Kudzai Mwari,” Minister Mahendere said.
And as his career took off to a great start, Minister Mahendere also met up with his spiritual father who told him to wait for his time.
“In 2003 that’s when I met my spiritual father Prophet Makandiwa and he said to me: ‘Sir I see something is cooking inside of you but don’t quickly come out of your egg shell before your time. Wait until your growth cracks the shells because if you come out too quickly you will be scorched by the sun and you will be criticized,”
Minister Mahendere said he was born in a music family. They are seven four boys and here girls.
“As a family we would go for prayers but before we prayed we would sing. And I think my bro Misheck is the most talented of all the boys because he can sing as well as play any instrument. He is now based in South Africa and is a music producer,” he said.
Commenting on the disbandment yesteryear group Mahendere Brothers, Minister Mahendere said the group failed to stand the test of time.
“Time comes to define things or changes things. Like I said we used to stay at the same house but when my brother married he moved out, the others got married and they moved and I was left along and when I also got married I moved out.
“When something like that happens the focus changes as each one turns to their family,” he said.
He, however, said he was working on reuniting all the four group members with a live recording anytime soon.
About Author
