The biography and Legacy of

Joseph Madziyire

Introduction

Joseph Madziyire, born on July 22, 1988, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, is a revered figure in the Zimbabwean music industry and a highly successful entrepreneur. From an early age, Joseph’s passion for music burned brightly, ignited by the profound power and captivating beauty of this art form. As the second son of Dr. Aspher Madziyire, a pastor and former President of the AFM in Zimbabwe, Joseph dreamt of establishing his own music recording company and leaving an everlasting impact on the industry.

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Joseph's Early Years

In 1994, Joseph began his primary education at Baines Junior School, and in 2001, he embarked on his high school studies at Milton Boys High School in Bulawayo. Continuing his education at Bulawayo Adventist High School in 2002, Joseph honed his academic and musical artistic skills.

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Early Musical Endeavors

Joseph's musical journey commenced in 1994, at the tender age of six, when he discovered his extraordinary talent for playing the piano. His father, who had recently taken over a predominantly white church in Bulawayo, noticed Joseph's interest in music when he started self-teaching himself to play the instruments left behind by the departing church musicians. Recognizing his potential, Joseph's father supported him by investing in home recording equipment in 2001. By the age of fifteen, Joseph had ventured into professional music production and had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed artists such as Ngoni Kambarame, Fungisai, Ivy Kombo, Sister Flame, Xtra Large, Kudzie Nyakudya, Sabastian Magacha, Mahendere Brothers, and his old friend Macdonald Chidavaenzi (aka Macdee), with whom he co-founded Zimpraise in 2006. These collaborations showcased Joseph's versatility and set the stage for his future success.

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Educational Pursuits

In 2007, Joseph enrolled at the School of Creative Arts in Sydney, Australia, pursuing his creative aspirations. Majoring in Music and Film, he further honed his skills and deepened his understanding of the arts.

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The Bond
with Oliver Mtukudzi

In 2007, Joseph's exceptional talent caught the attention of Oliver Mtukudzi, the legendary Zimbabwean musician, during his tour in Australia. Impressed by Joseph's skills, Oliver Mtukudzi offered to collaborate on a song together, marking the beginning of a profound bond between the two. This relationship resembled that of a father and son, and Joseph also developed a close friendship with Oliver Mtukudzi's son, Sam Mtukudzi. Their collaboration resulted in the song "Usamukanganwe Jesu" (Don't Forget Jesus), where Oliver Mtukudzi imparted wisdom to Joseph as a father figure, emphasizing the importance of faith in navigating life's challenges. After completing his studies, Joseph returned to Zimbabwe in 2011, driven by a desire to make a significant impact in his home country. This marked the birth of a new era in the Zimbabwean music business.

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During this time, Joseph dedicated his efforts to the Zimpraise project, which was founded in 2006. Taking on the responsibility of producing all Zimpraise projects from season 3 onwards, Joseph transformed the initiative into a platform for mentoring young artists and creatives while showcasing the pride of Zimbabwean Christian heritage through gospel music and art. Zimpraise became an undeniable unifying force, bringing together Zimbabweans and people from all corners of Southern Africa, fostering a sense of unity and kinship within the global community. From filling up a small 800-seater capacity 7 Arts Theatre Hall in Harare, Zimpraise grew exponentially each year and now hosts its annual events in stadiums and arenas in Zimbabwe, attracting an attendance of over 40,000 people. Under Joseph Madziyire's leadership, Zimpraise has recorded over 15 seasons, 4 hymns night albums, and various collaborations, including one with the late Oliver Mtukudzi and Joseph's personal friend, Jah Prayzah. After 15 years of releasing excellent and world-class productions, Joseph rebranded Zimpraise in September 2021 as the Zimpraise Legacy Network, extending its reach to encompass all his legacy projects. The Zimpraise Legacy Network has now evolved into a Non-Denominational Tele Evangelism Network, with divisions that include Zimpraise Music, Zimpraise Legacy TV boasting over 200k subscribers on YouTube, the Zimpraise Academy hosting quarterly classes with hundreds of worship leaders in Harare, and the Zimpraise Kids and Afripraise divisions, headquartered in the United Kingdom.

awardsawards

  • Top 20 Young CEO in Business Award 2013 (MegaFest Awards)
  • Honorary Award in Philanthropy (Philanthropy Institute of Zimbabwe)
  • Global Impact Award (ZAA)
  • Zimbabwe Young Achievers Award (USA)
  • Gumiguru Young Achievers Award 2021
  • National Flag Raiser Award (Victors Awards)
  • Best Producer Award 2013
  • AFM Business Forum Award
  • Best Songwriter Award 2014