Pengaudzoke founder Josphat Somanje falls on hard times, turns to menial jobs
Josphat Somanje
Josphat Somanje, the co-founder of celebrated music group Pengaudzoke, has turned to doing menial jobs after falling on hard times due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Covid-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected the arts sector as musicians and dancers could not work due to lockdowns and curfews.
The 53-year-old frontman of the Somanje Stars and his band have not been spared. He revealed that he has been forced to swallow his pride and do whatever jobs he can land to fend for his family.
In an interview with local tabloid H-Metro, the “Haulume” star said,
“These days, I am no longer selective since Covid-19 has eroded our earnings in the creative sector.
“I’m now earning a living from menial jobs, and I’m no longer selective as we you do before due to pride.
“Takungoti chamuka inyama because you will starve the family to death if you don’t work hard and embrace change,”
Josphat said that his band members have agreed to help each other to ensure that they all survive and make it through the pandemic.
“As a group, we have made it a policy that we share the little that we get and they no longer look up to me for survival because ndakatoomerwawo.
“It’s funny how life has changed and we need to do other side jobs to ensure that we bring food on the table.
“In my case, I also repair electrical gadgets, but you can’t fully depend on that job because it’s not sustainable as people are struggling to make ends meet,” he said.
Josphat, who co-founded Pengaudzoke with his late brother Dayton Somanje, said better days are ahead as the government has relaxed Covid-19 regulations.
“We had come to a point where we were holding live shows in line with the curfew times, but right now we are afraid that shows are likely to be banned again.
“We are just praying that the number of infections go down because it doesn’t look good out there.
He also said that he is working on releasing an album just before Christmas.
“I have recorded an album called Hope dzaDaniel … I’m looking forward to record release it before Christmas,” he added.
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