Fatima “Stimela” Katiji
Fatima “Stimela” Katiji is a Zimbabwean musician and a dancer and backing vocalist in Jah Prayzah's Third Generation Band.
Background
She is the second in a family of five. Stimela spent her early childhood at Two Brigade Barracks and at HQ1 Brigade, Brady Barracks where her father was in the army. Her sister is Edith WeUtonga. [1]
Age
Fatima "Stimela" Katiji was born on 24 May 1984 at Edith Opperman Hospital in Mbare.[1]
Children
Stimela has a son.[1]
Husband
In an interview with The Standard, Katiji said she is married. She did not reveal the name of her husband.[1]
Education
After high school in 2003, Stimela joined her sister Edith WeUtonga at Amakhosi Theatre, where she studied music and dance. Fatima then became a member of an all-female group called Amakhosikazi.
Career
When Edith left Bulawayo for Harare, Katiji took her place and became lead vocalist for the group Five Fold led by Hudson Simbarashe.
She joined Edith in Harare after two years. The two formed an all-female outfit — So What? Katiji went on to join Alexio Kawara and the Shades of Black. She had also worked with Diana Samkange and Josh Meck before she joined Jah Prayzah. As an artist she has recorded with various artists like Thanda Richardson, Nesto, Gift Amuli, Tariro neGitare, Simbarashe and UK-based gospel artiste Jane Doka.
She shared the stage with Oliver Mtukudzi, Chiwoniso Maraire, Busi Ncube, Ringo Madlingozi, Thomas Mapfumo and Yvonne Chakachaka.
At HIFA 2011, Katiji had the privilege of doing a solo act where she performed the opening song. She also has done a bit of theatre, a HIFA direct entitled, It Never Rains by Thembelihle Moyo.[1]
She was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was out of action for three months, only to return to the stage shortly before the Watora Mari Concert that was held in December 2016 at the Harare International Conference Centre.[2] In 2016 she failed to perform at Shoko Festival which was held at the Harare Museum of Human Sciences after she was diagnosed with tuberculosis.[3]
In 2020, Stimela launched Steemy-Bee Dance Factory to identify and nurture young dancers. She also launched her debut single Gara Ndichauya.
Fairfield University Connecticut Exchange Programme
On 30 March 2021, Daily News reported that Katinji was going to the United States of America to further her studies.
Jah Prayzah's manager told the Daily News that she hopes to return to Zimbabwe once her exchange programme at the Fairfield University Connecticut comes to an end. Jah Prayzah’s manager Keen Mushapaidze confirmed Stimela’s move to the United States but was quick to point out that the talented vocalist had not quit the Third Generation band for good as she would be away for only three months. Feli Nandi was hired as Stimela's replacement.[4]
Videos
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Prudence Muganiwah, Jah Prayzah’s Stimela loves her job, The Standard, Published: September 13, 2015, Retrieved: April 21, 2021
- ↑ Takudzwa Chihambakwe, Is Stimela fit enough for Jah Prayzah?, The Sunday Mail, Published: January 8, 2017, Retrieved: April 21, 2021
- ↑ Naledi Sande, Shoko festival a mixed bag, Nehanda Radio, Published: September 27, 2016, Retrieved: April 21, 2021
- ↑ Vasco Chaya, Stimela quits JP’s band, Daily News, Published: March 30, 2021, Retrieved: April 21, 2021
