Growing up in the remote areas of Chipinge was not easy for Brian Mhlanga, a 22 years old upcoming musician. While his story is on the verge of being a success, he reckons that rural areas are not ideal for aspiring artistes due to absence of support structures.
Mhlanga whose stage name is Olama Goodways said passion was his biggest arsenal as it enabled him to brush off criticism, discouragement and pressure to pursue other so called rewarding careers.
He reckons that passionate and talented kids in rural areas do not have avenues to explore and fully realize their potential in the music industry.
“Zimbabwean music is so fantastic, if there could only be public attention to the marginalized children who are in rural areas, our music industry will grow because the dynamics and life experiences of those talented young kids in rural areas is important to the industry,” he said.
Olama Goodways revealed how hard for him breakthrough and be where he is now.
“I started doing music when I was young, started by playing plastic bottles which we could made as guitars while herding cattle in the village.
“I realized that music is my talent and when I went to high school, I joined the school choir before I then thought of taking it up as a career” he said.
He added, “At high school I then wanted to do music but the challenge was back up and support since I was in remote areas of Chipinge and I had never step my foot in Harare.”
The upcoming musician who is a guitarist said he was fortunate to have supportive parents who stood by him but believes there are many other children who failed to pursue their talent due to pressure from society which still regards music as a wayward career.
Olama Goodways who is now enrolled for a national certificate at Music Crossroads Academy said his parents wanted him to pursue a different career path but managed to convince them that his future lies in the music industry.
He has released songs such as ‘Kachembere Kegudo’, inspired by folk stories told by elderly people in villages and ‘Zenze’.
