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Yvonne Ncube, Showbiz Reporter
FOR multi-talented award-winning gospel singer, author, poet, and actor Onesimo Ngcotsha (born Onesimo Mpofu), art is his oxygen.

The 33-year-old vocalist who was named the Pumula Royal Arts and Community Awards (Praca) Outstanding Poet last year said his vision is to touch people’s lives and minister the word of God through music and poetry.

“Art is not about talent for me, but it’s a calling that I tried to run away from until the day I had to surrender. It’s funny how I initially didn’t want anything to do with it because I had other ambitions, but today, I have a different testimony. I feel like music and art, in general, is my source of survival, it’s my oxygen,” said Onesimo who is nominated in four categories at the Pracas this year.

He said he ventured into music professionally in 2015 and took baby steps, working with various groups before going solo in 2017. Unfortunately, his music producer Joe Maseko passed away in 2018 when they were working on an album which was a major blow for the artiste.

However, he eventually managed to release two albums and four singles last year.

“In June last year, I released my debut single, Sisize Somandla featuring producer Victor Tee. A month later, I released Africa which was a spoken word single. In September, I released a gospel album titled Ngiyabonga together with Loluthando, a spoken word album.

“This year on July 29, which happens to be my birthday, I released a single titled Qina Qhawe and in October, I released Hlal’ethembeni. My latest single is Phumula.”

He added that he is working on his next spoken word album as well as authoring a couple of books.

The artiste said the vision is to touch people’s lives and minister to them with good quality music while uplifting them through poetry and his books.

Onesimo said he started singing at the age of seven.

“Before I became a professional singer, I used to sing at home, school and church. I can date my singing to as far as Grade 2. Many people knew me as a poet from Skyz Metro FM before knowing the gospel music side of me.

“Now, I’m an author, poet, MC, actor, keyboard player, songwriter and producer. For my efforts, I’ve been nominated for the National Arts Merit Awards, Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards, and Amaqhawanentaba FM Awards.

This year, I was named the outstanding author at the Matabeleland Cultural Awards and have been nominated in four categories at the forthcoming Praca awards.”

Hailing from Pumula suburb, Onesimo attended Mtshabezi Primary and Mtshabezi High School. He graduated from Lupane State University with an Honours Degree in Development Studies.  —  @SeehYvonne