From Andrea Sibanda to Andrea the Vocalist

Sibongile Ndiweni, Sunday Life Reporter
JUST a few years back, the name Andrea Sibanda was just an ordinary one, which any individual would not look twice at.

To the few who knew him in Victoria Falls, Andrea was just a young God-fearing boy, who like any other child would go to church, play with his peers and also be engrossed in his school work.

He had hardly travelled outside the resort city let alone outside the country, to him this was a dream, like any other child- to be fulfilled once he finished school.

However, a video that was recorded during a church session with him singing as a form of punishment after he and his peers had sneaked out of church to pick wild fruits, has seen the young man transform from being Andrea Sibanda to becoming Andrea the Vocalist.

The video was shared on TikTok and has seen him fast becoming a household name. Not only has he transformed his brand to become a teen celebrity but his life has that been of firsts; he has flown, for the first time been to South Africa and also been the youngest artiste to win at the ROIL Bulawayo Arts Awards when he walked away with the best new comer gong.

The 13-year-old Andrea the Vocalist was born in a family of three and had a not so privileged background. Andrea loves music and knows his God given talent should change his family fortunes forever.

Tokyo Nkanyiso Moyo who is the road manager for Andrea said his journey has been riddled with both highs and lows and him being a minor makes him extra special.

Moyo said Andrea’s victory in the ROIL BAA’s was an honour he would cherish. “It is a great feeling that Andrea has finally been recognised in Bulawayo and by extension in Matabeleland. And this award is a confirmation of what many have been saying, that Andrea’s star has been shining brighter by each passing event,” said Moyo.

Moyo said Andrea’s music career is taking shape, but it’s not been as easy as saying it would be too early to say it is paying off.

He, however, noted that Andrea is doing well with each performance and endorsement.

“We have had him perform with big artistes on big stages like the Econet Big 5 alongside Jah Prayzah and Winky D. He also performed for Parliament of Zimbabwe in Victoria Falls. We are not yet where we want him to be, but we are confident he is on the right track.

“We are building him into a bona fide gospel artiste and that’s the direction we are on. Thus, anything we will do or release is part of the bigger puzzle. He will be a big star with a strong catalogue in the next few years,” he added.

As a boy who still cherishes spending his free time playing football with other children of his age on the streets of his home city, it has taken a lot of grooming and support from a lot of people in his life. In short Andrea is a product of many hands joined together in different ways.

Tendai Joe who is Andrea’s manager from JBross Entertainment is the one who oversaw the creation and development of

“Andrea The Vocalist” from the viral Andrea Sibanda and also organised his first trip to South Africa as well as all activities carried out in South Africa including the shooting of Uhambo video and the recording with DJ Maphorisa.

Andrea’s passion for music has made him to get support from a lot of people, with those who are not his family coming through for him to ensure that both his music and education are carried forward.

“Ms Mirriam Hakata a UK based business woman paid school fees for Andrea’s education for three years and has also helped buy clothes and other school supplies for Andrea. While Patrick Gossa a businessman from Mpumalanga, South Africa donated R10 000 to Andrea and family in December 2021,” said Moyo.

In his own words, Andrea said even though he enjoys traveling and having to get back home and tell his friends all about his journeys, what he would have enjoyed the most, he still understands the importance of education such that during school days he is serious with his school work and he only records his music during the holidays.

“I’m born in a family where both my mother and father have a singing talent and at times while we would just be sitting at home with my family, I would sing and call myself the Vocalist,” said Andrea.

His father Ntando Sibanda said: “Sometimes I feel like it’s a shock because it has only been a few months since Andrea started his music career and he is already famous, mostly many artistes struggle to reach where Andrea is right now.”