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For a long time most people thought the popular Kiatu Kivue gospel tune was Rose Muhando’s song as Anastacia Kakii Obule aka Anastacia Mukabwa, the singer and composer, was relatively unknown in the music industry in 1998 when the song rocked the airwaves.
"Rose Muhando featured in the song, but I was the one who composed it," Anastacia says.
The album Kiatu Kivue has songs - Kiatu Kivue, Heshima, Manamba wa Matatu, Nzinzi Lela, Nishike Mkono, Tabu Zangu, Utukuzwe and Mfalme Farao.
“I strongly felt that it took the hand of God to single handedly come up with this album as it was an expensive venture, ” she says in impeccable Kiswahili, a result of growing up in Momsasa and one of the reasons her fans thought she was the popular gospel singer from Tanzania Rose Muhando.
But despite her fame many critics are of the opinion that Mukabwa has been on the low musically. With others suggesting that she may have quit music for as different profession due to dwindling fortunes.
The musician is no stranger to Kenyans especially the lovers of gospel music however dismisses their claims as untrue.
“For me gospel music has always been a long journey which requires adequate time to release considering it is a message from God. Like the Bible tells us God’s timing is the best.”
To prove her intent Anastazia has released her new album Timing (2015) which has eight songs among them Timing, Barua, Uko Mwema, Ebenneza and Yerusalem among others that have been well received among the local gospel fraternity and beyond.
“It was a matter of time before I bounce back. Like I said God’s timing is the best,” adds the proud holder of proud holder of five music awards; Nzumari Awards – The Best Female Artiste (2009), Coast Music Awards – Best Gospel Song of the Year (2010), Best Gospel Female Artiste (2010), Female Artiste of the Year in General- Gospel and Circular Music (2010) and in Nzumari Awards – Best Female Artiste of the Year (2011).
The artiste who can easily pass for a Tanzanian due to her impeccable Kiswahili, humbleness and also for her close association with her mentor in the art, Rose Muhando, was born in Busia, Kenya, over 30 years ago.
A mother of two married to Michael Mukabwa, she is the second born in a family of six siblings; two girls and four boys. She was however brought up and educated in Mombasa where her lived hence her fluency in Kiswahili .
Her father worked for a certain company in Mombasa for a long time until he passed on when she was in class six while the mother was a housewife.
LIFE CHANGES
They lived there for many years until her father passed on when she was in class six.
She says, “That was when our good life changed and became very difficult. Dad who used to provide everything to us was no more.”
“I went to Maweni Primary School in Mombasa and completed my primary education in 1992, then to Mombasa High in 1993 completing in 1996. Following financial difficulties we faced then I could not even be given my certificates. I owed the school a lot of money in fees arrears,” Anastacia says.
She had to work extra hard and without choosing the kind jobs she did to make money to salvage her school documents.
“I worked as a house help at one time. I managed to clear the school fees debt and got my certificates,” says delighted Anastazia.
ROSE MUHANDO IMPRESSED
Anastacia says her talent in music was discovered in her early childhood though she adds that she did not have someone to help her develop it immediately.
“It was not until 1997 in Ushindi Baptist Church, Mombasa, when my bishop, Joseph Maisha, invited me to share the stage with Rose Muhando when she came to sing in our church to .I sang my first songs “Umenitoa Shimoni” and “Dunia Inapita”. She was very impressed,” she recalls.
Rose Muhando invited her to Tanzania where she stayed for two months touring and singing. Rose Muhando helped Anastacia to record all the music she had and did not charge her anything.
She told her that it had been revealed to her in sleep that she helps Anastacia in her music so that she could spread the word of the Lord comfortably. It was God’s order to Rose that Anastacia was to be helped.
“Upon returning to the country with the recorded music I went round allover trying to sell my music to my fans. It was not easy as I was very new in the field.
I even had to fast for three days and pray very hard for God’s intervention. After while God opened a way for me. My songs were played in a crusade and attracted Baraka FM Radio crew who liked my music and hence invited me to their studios for an interview.
Immediately my music was played by them became very popular and many other stations played it.”
BIG NAME
Today, in Gospel music, Anastacia Mukabwa is a big name. She is highly celebrated for her songs “Kiatu Kivue”, Uko Mwema among others.
Besides these, Anastacia prides herself of being the first upcoming artiste to do a collabo with Rose Muhando.
“I thank God that my music is being appreciated all over the world pretty fast. I have received invitations and toured the whole of Tanzania, Burundi, Zambia, Congo, Malawi, Uganda, South Africa and Britain,” Anastacia Mukabwa says.
Asked about Gospel artistes who are her role model Anastazia said she looks up to musicians like Rose Muhando her mentor, Rebecca Malope, Yvonne Chakachaka, Euphraim, Mary Atieno, late Angela Chibalonza and the late Emachichi. The two for what they did during their lives and the legacy they left behind.
