Davison Marenga
Zvishavane – One of the Great Dyke’s most popular gospel artists, Attalia Parehwa has bemoaned lack of sponsorship and acknowledgement as a major setback for most musicians in smaller towns.
The Echoes of Praise leader urged gospel music sponsors not to look down upon musicians from smaller towns as they could at times be as equally talented as their counterparts from bigger communities.
“Most musicians from small towns are looked down upon in the gospel circles. First preference is given to those in big towns mainly Harare. We must be given equal opportunities since we are all gospel singers.
“Lack of opportunity to showcase our talents makes us feel inferior. It weighs upon our confidence in doing what we think we are good at. In the few instances that we are given chances to share the stage with the big guns in gospel music, we are only given limited time and only as curtain raisers,” Parehwa said.
A humble musician who discovered her talent at a tender age, Parehwa was roped into her church’s praise and worship team at the age of 12.
She started her professional carrier as a musician in 2006 when she recorded her first single with the group Revenge which was led by Japhet Mpofu.
Having three albums under her name; Makanaka Mwari (2012) Anenyasha (2014) and Mwari Makatendeka (2016), Parehwa says she is inspired by various musicians in the music fraternity, including Shingisai Siluma, Mai Charamba and Oliver Mutukudzi.
