Inside Jah Prayzah’s massive wedding as Charles ‘CNN’ Mabika lines up 30 musicians!

Jah Prayzah’s wedding has become the centre of a major Zimbabwean music gathering, with veteran football commentator Charles “CNN” Mabika bringing together about 30 musicians to record a special song for the singer and his bride, Rufaro.

The song, titled “Makorokoto Jah Prayzah na Rufaro”, has united performers from different generations. It was recorded at DanMag Studios and is being followed by a video project that organisers hope will give the wedding celebration a life beyond the ceremony itself.

For Mabika, the project is about more than sending congratulations to one of Zimbabwe’s biggest music stars. He wants it to show what can happen when established performers, newcomers and musicians from different parts of the industry work towards a common purpose.

“I have always had a passion. I have two passions – sports, particularly football, and Zimbabwean music, strictly Zimbabwean music. I have a long relationship with Jah Prayzah. We get on quite well. He is a close colleague. A couple of months back, when I heard about the wedding, it just came to me. I have always been discussing with Chandafira Nyeredzani about how Zimbabwean musicians seem to be polarised and do not always come together to do things for a common cause,” he said.

Mabika and Nyeredzani, who is based in the United Kingdom, decided that the wedding offered an opportunity to bring artists together without waiting for a commercial contract or a major festival booking. The musicians gave their time voluntarily, while some paid their own transport costs to attend rehearsals.

The project did not attract everyone at first. Mabika said some artists asked what they would be paid and declined when they learnt that there was no financial reward. The team continued looking for musicians who were prepared to contribute to a celebration of one of their own.

“We approached various musicians, old and young, those who are established and those who are just upcoming. The interest and excitement was just unbelievable,” Mabika said.

The vocal line-up includes Baba and Mai Charamba, Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, Jonah Moyo, Piki Kasamba, Mitchell Jambo, Prudence Mabhena, Kireni Zulu, First Farai, Potato, Swere Ngoma, Somandla Ndebele, Knowledge Kunenyathi, Gulf Makina, Foster “The Force” Mkweu, DanMag Magara, Chase Skuza, Fungayi Mukeyi, Esin Zulu and Paddy Madakara, among others.

Backing vocals are provided by Rutendo Mazvimba and Sithiyekile Hove. The band features Munyaradzi Munodawafa on keyboards, Philip Svosve on saxophone, Nyeredzani on drums, Harold Mageni on bass guitar, Brian Tagarira and Tichaona Chacha on guitar, and Alois Bunjira on marimba.

Mabika has also added his familiar football commentary to the recording, linking the two passions that have defined his public life. His earlier work with Jah Prayzah came after the Warriors qualified for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Gabon.

“I approached him and said, ‘Can we do a congratulatory song for the Warriors?’ He did not hesitate. He came up with the lyrics and I helped a bit, came up with the commentary, the soundtrack and everything, and we did ‘Handei Ma Warriors’,” said Mabika.

That earlier collaboration helped lay the ground for the wedding song. Mabika said the same spirit of national pride and musical teamwork could be brought into a private celebration for Jah Prayzah and Rufaro.

“This is a very special occasion, a wedding for one of our own superstars. Why can’t we get together and do this?” he said.

The initiative has also given fresh momentum to the Zimbabwe United Music Artists movement, known as ZIUMA. Mabika wants the group to remain active after the wedding and to become a platform for musicians to support one another at birthdays, memorials and other important occasions.

“As we go forward, we would like to get together to support each other as musicians – birthday parties, even in times of mourning, people can come together and do a collaboration. Maybe, we can look at commercial ventures after this one. Collaborations are not just about coming together and doing a song. You would be surprised at the skills and contributions that come from getting people from all ages and backgrounds together to share ideas.”

He said the response to the recording had made him hopeful that ZIUMA could grow into a regular force in the local music industry.

“I enjoyed working with them and I am looking forward to working with them because we can see the horizons opening here. I hope that the Zimbabwean community in and outside Zimbabwe will appreciate this project put together by Zimbabwe United Music Artists. I hope that we will grow from strength to strength,” he said.

While “Makorokoto” has brought together a large ensemble, the expected appearance of Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo has added another major talking point to the wedding programme.

Mapfumo, one of the most influential figures in Zimbabwean music, confirmed that he would return from the United States to perform at Jah Prayzah’s wedding. He is also due to appear at businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s birthday celebration, with the two performances forming a combined US$1 million arrangement.

The offer was first put forward after Chivayo presented Jah Prayzah with a 2026 Ford Ranger Platinum and US$250,000 in cash for his birthday. Chivayo said he would pay Mapfumo US$500,000 to perform at Jah Prayzah’s wedding. He also said that if the wedding performance did not take place, he would invite Mapfumo to perform at his own birthday celebration for US$1 million.

The arrangement later became two performances valued at US$500,000 each. Mapfumo accepted and said his return was for work.

“I just want to let you know that I will be coming to Zimbabwe to perform at Wicknell Chivayo’s birthday and also at Jah Prayzah’s wedding. Jah Prayzah is my son, and I’m certain he will be thrilled to have me performing at his wedding,” Mapfumo said.

He also said he would perform at Bira Guru, the annual traditional ceremony held in Zimbabwe.

“Ndati ndikuudzei kuti ndirikuuya, ndezvebasa izvi,” he said, meaning that he was coming and that it was all work.

Chivayo said he would honour the full payment for the two shows, describing the total as a record-breaking fee for a Zimbabwean performer. He said the payment was intended to recognise Mapfumo’s contribution to the country’s music and his role in inspiring generations during the liberation struggle.

The appearance is expected to create one of the wedding’s most significant musical moments. Mapfumo’s catalogue reaches across generations, while Jah Prayzah has built his own reputation by blending traditional sounds with contemporary production. A performance bringing the two artists together would connect two distinct eras of Zimbabwean music in front of the same audience.

Attention has also turned to the music Jah Prayzah himself may choose for the occasion. His songs about love, relationships and family have made tracks such as “Nyeredzi” natural candidates for the wedding playlist. “Mukwasha” could bring a more playful moment, given that the singer is preparing to take on the role of son-in-law.

Rufaro’s bridal shower has already heightened interest in the wedding’s styling and presentation. Her celebration offered an early glimpse of the fashion and atmosphere expected on the main day, while guests and fans continue to watch for details about the ceremony and reception.

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Questions have also been raised about whether Jah Prayzah held a bachelor party. No details have been made public, leaving room for the possibility of a private gathering away from cameras and social media.

For now, the clearest picture is of a wedding shaped by music on an unusually large scale: a voluntary recording featuring about 30 artists, a new musicians’ platform seeking a lasting role, and a headline performance by Mapfumo backed by a US$1 million two-show commitment.

Mabika’s wedding song is expected to provide the communal soundtrack, while Mapfumo’s appearance could supply the night’s defining stage moment. Together, the projects have turned Jah Prayzah and Rufaro’s celebration into a meeting point for Zimbabwean music’s past, present and future.