The Sunday News
Rumbidzai Mbewe, Sunday Life Correspondent
AT the age of 29 he has already worked with legends of the entertainment industry not only in Zimbabwe but in Africa. More is yet to come as he longs to reach for international superstars.
Prince Joel Nyoni is a Zimbabwe-born artiste based in South Africa. When he left Zimbabwe it was only to help a family friend who had established a church and needed someone to play the keyboard. His parents both being Reverends at the Church of Nazarene, they saw the opportunities that he was going to get once he was in South Africa but little did they know that he was going to rub shoulders with award winning super stars in the South African music industry.
In an interview with Sunday Life, Ncube said he had a passion for music since childhood until he taught himself to play the piano. He said he used to watch people in church play the piano.
“Growing up, in church there were no other instruments except the African drum. When our church bought a piano I was so excited but my father was very strict and he did not allow me to even touch the piano despite how much I wanted to play it. I then watched how some members of the choir played the piano and that’s how I learnt how to play the piano,” he said.
He has shared the stage with the likes of Bob Nyabinde, Salif Keita and Oliver Mtukudzi who he looks up to. He said sharing the stage with Mtukudzi was a blessing for him.
“I was star struck when I had to share the stage with such a respected artiste. Having such icons makes one want to work hard and one day be respected as well in the country. Given the opportunity I would like to work with him.
“I was very much honoured to be part of the anti racism and drug campaign in South Africa. Imagine I had to produce a song that was sung by all the big names in South Africa that you can think of. The song had the likes of Rebecca Malope, Mzwakhe Mbuli, Zahara just to mention a few people,” he said.
He said working with Berita, another Zimbabwe- born singer was an amazing and fruitful experience for him. He said besides playing keyboards for her, they directed music together for some time but he left directing for greener pastures.
“Berita was a music director for three years and we worked together so much but in 2015 I stopped directing. We still work together and we are currently working on something which people should look forward to,” he said.
Prince who recently lost his father Rev Andrew Nyoni said it was so sad that his father will never get to see his work but he hoped to do his mother proud. He said his work has only been recognised in South Africa but he is happy that the media in Zimbabwe has finally picked the work that he does.
“I am very grateful to my parents because they have been supportive from day one, without them I do not even know where I would be now. Theere is nothing amazing as being recognised in your own country even if you are not there physically,” he said.
He said the most exciting thing that has happened in his music journey was with the Red Riots where he got the opportunity to visit the Mandela’s at the Mandela house.
“Imagine the experience of going to the Mandela residence. I felt welcome there because they were treating us like we were part of their family. Seeing Tata Mandela there basking in the sun was just priceless,” he said.
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