Springs’ Mwiza Zungeni reappears

Tom Sangala March 16, 2016

446 2 minutes read

Remember gospel group Springs that moved the country with their songs such as ‘Muloleni Yesu Alamulire’ and ‘Ndifunitsa’? The group disappeared from the limelight 12 years ago, with many saying it had disbanded.

But according to Mwiza Zungeni, who was lead vocalist, Springs did not disband or die.

“I know people have said a lot about Springs but the group despite being out of the scene is still there and it will never die. It’s just that many members left the country and only three of us remained including Dunstan Mwaungulu, who was our manager,” he said.

The musician said he has also been in Mozambique for the past two years and now that he is back he has decided to break the silence.

Mwiza, who led in vocals with his powerful voice, has since revealed that he is releasing his solo album Wasintha Nyengo Zanga, whose songs will be ready early next month.

Recorded at Kitchen and EPG Studios in Blantyre, the 10- track has songs such as ‘No Difference,’ ‘Praise Him,’ ‘Who Told You,’ ‘Ndikufuna Kuyenda Nanu,’ ‘Wakuchema,’ ‘Final Say,’ and ‘Ayaluke,’ and ‘Mzimu Woyera.’

“The music I am bringing is different from the music we used to do with Springs. With Springs we were more into the South African touch but I am doing what call classic music,” said Mwiza.

He said he is not thinking of launching the album at the moment but he will release it and promote it before getting down to releasing music videos.

Listening to the title track ‘Wasintha Nyengo Zanga,’ the musician has shown potential. The song has been fused with the Honala traditional dance from Nkhata Bay.

Mwiza said despite going solo, he was still a member of Springs, which is also on the verge of releasing a third album Mukhale Nane adding to Muloleni Yesu Alamulire and Ndifunitsa.

He said the group has some new members and they include Kenwood Kharika, Jew Chapomba, Luke Tembo, Glad Soko and Sekile Chimwele.

But unlike in the past years when there were a few gospel musicians, the industry has now grown. Does he have what it takes to hit the top?

“To me music is not a competition, to me it is a calling and I want to tell people that I am here to minister the word of God and through my songs people should expect God’s visitation,” he said.

The musician said this was the beginning of more things to come from him and that from now on he will be appearing in some shows.

He described the journey he moved with Springs as successful and that the group did well because their main theme was ministering.

While appreciating the presence of many musicians, Mwiza said there was a gap in terms of identity and that many are more into copying.

“I am bringing a Malawian identity and some of my songs are deep rooted in culture. Again there is a kind of bubblegum music because gospel musicians do not rely on God, since I started singing with Springs I didn’t know how to write songs but now I know because of God’s guidance,” he said.

Mwiza also observed that many gospel musicians are preaching gospel but are not in the gospel.