Seh Calaz

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Seh ‘Banditi’ Calaz
Seh Calaz, Tawanda Mumanyi
Background information
Birth nameTawanda Mumanyi
Also known asBoss Yala
Born(1990-08-02)August 2, 1990
Mbare
GenresZimdancehall
Occupation(s)Zimdancehall Artist, Songwriter
Associated actsMambo Dhuterere, Van Choga,

Seh Calaz is an award winning Zimdancehall artist who rose to stardom with songs such as Mabhanditi and Mumota Murikubvira and Kwatinobva Kwakasiyana Siyana. Seh Calaz is known in the contemporary Zimdancehall music arena for his signature "Check Check Check" lyrical chant which features in most of his songs. He belongs to a crop of young musicians that capitalised on the sudden boom of the Zimdancehall genre in Zimbabwe from around 2012. In June 2017, Seh Calaz was alleged to have assaulted his girlfriend and fiance, Moira Knight after an altercation escalated when she had taken his phone.

Personal Life

Seh Calaz was once married to Thembelihle Moyo with whom he has a daughter called Shalom Mumanyi. However, the couple ended up splitting, although no reasons were disclosed for the split. On 5 July 2016, Seh Calaz was officially engaged to United Kingdom-based radio personality Eric Knight’s daughter, Moira, at a private function in Harare.[1] The engagement was announced on Calaz's Facebook page, where he posted:

Official: Family and friends help us congratulate the Bandit Boss, Seh Calaz, who last night (Monday) got engaged to Miss Moira Sibongile Knight at a private function attended by family and friends in Harare. We wish the Boss and the Boss madam all the bliss and happiness, good health and prosperity for the adventure that lies ahead and for the next stage of their lives. Congratulations! Wish them well

On 12 June 2017, Seh Calaz was reported to have beaten up, Moira after she had taken his phone. Moira moved out of the Waterfalls apartment that the two were sharing citing fears for her safety. However, she did not press charges against Calaz saying that she was still in love with him and was undecided. [2]

Children

Seh Calaz and Moira Knight have a son named Treasure Winter Mumanyi who was born on 9 March 2020.[3] and a daughter named Shalom Mumanyi with Thembelihle Moyo.

US$2000 Maintenance Claim

In a letter dated February 15 2022, Moira Knight demanded US$2 000 per month for child support from her estranged husband Seh Calaz. Through her lawyers, Masawi and Partners demanded support for their infant son, Treasure Winter.

She said Seh Calaz was gainfully employed as a musician and producer and had the capacity to meet the demand. Moira Knight said the US$2000.00 per month was to cover food, special diet for the child, medicines, rent, clothing, transport, house maid and other ancillary expenses for the son.[3]

Harare Magistrate Judith Taruvinga ordered Seh Calaz to pay ZWL$45 000 a month effective 31 March until the child reached the age of 18.

The maintenance was broken down as $15 000 for food, $10 000 (rent), clothes (5 000), medicals (5 000), utilities ($5 000) and ancillary ($5 000). When the judgement was passed, Seh Calaz said he would appeal against the magistrate’s decision at the High Court.

Moira Knight was demanding US$1 050 which was broken down as follows US$300 for rentals, US$120 (electricity), US$45 (gas), US$100, US$110 (clothes) and transport US$100. She also demanded US$2 450 as a once-off payment and an equal share of the two’s matrimonial property and medical fees.[4]

Music career

Little known by then , Calaz announced his grand entry in the music industry in 2013 with his song "Mabhanditi". The song went viral in the ghettos though it did not receive any airplay on local radio stations. When he released "Mumota Murikubvira", the song became popular on most radio stations. The song glorifies the use of marijuana. To cap the year the youthful chanter was voted the 'Best Male Dancehall Artist' at the King of the Dancehall contest held in December 2013. He beat other artists from Chitungwiza, Kwekwe and Gweru and walked away with R10,000.[5] When Jamaican dancehall artist Turbulence came to Zimbabwe in 2013, the two made a remix of Seh Calaz's hit song Mumota Murikubvira.[6]

Discography

Albums

  • Bvopfiro Pariro (2022)
  • Bholato Bholato (2020)
  • Jamba Ngoma November 2016
  • Bhanditi Rebirth 2015

EPs

  • Bvopfiro Pariro (2021)

songs

  • 'Mangongongo
  • Kwatinobva Kwakasiyana
  • Handikendenge
  • Vaita Vana
  • Ndine Mangoromera
  • Wandibelieviser feat Nox
  • Patakatanga
  • Ndinochema
  • Mabhanditi
  • Basa Rangu
  • Life Yemboko
  • Fighting
  • Hameno
  • Hatipisike
  • Zvaunoita Feat Smiley
  • Zvaunoda

Mabhanditi Label

Calaz started his own clothing label called Mabhanditi, the name of what he has referred to as his clan. The clothes he wears on stage are produced by the Mabhanditi label and he has said he has plans to take the clothing label international.

Controversies

In May 2018 Seh Calaz was fined $100 (or one month in jail if he failed to pay the fine) by Harare Magistrate Josephine Sande for recording the song “Kurova Hohwa” which was deemed "indecent and obscene".

In February 2014, together with fellow dancehall chanter, Soul Jah Love, Seh Calaz allegedly took a deposit for a show but failed to show up for the performance at Club Whispers in Highfield. Calaz had signed an agreement with the promoter and got the cash but decided not to turn up for the show. He was reportedly in Cape Town, South Africa on the same day holding another show.[7] In November 2014, Calaz was also involved in a fist fight with a fellow dancehall artist Soul Jah Love at the Sting 2014 held at the City Sports Centre in Harare. The fight is said to have spilled into the crowd resulting in security personnel from the Zimbabwe Republic Police using tear gas to quell the situation. This eventually led to a stampede which resulted in 10 people sustaining injuries.[8] Calaz also exchanged blows with fellow chanter Quonfused after it was alleged that Calaz had an affair with a girl that was in a relationship with Quonfused.

Beef With Winky D

When Winky D released the song Mafirakureva, he came under attack from many ghetto youths. The song which urges the youth to desist from using drugs was perceived by Calaz as an attack since he previously did hits that glorified marijuana smoking like "Ndiri Rasta" and "Mzii". Calaz hit back by dropping a reply song "Kunyan’anya" (Mafira Kureva) which attacked Winky D. Soon after releasing the song Seh Calaz spiritedly defended his right to attack Winky D.[9]

Assault

Seh Calaz was assaulted by fellow dancehall chanter Quonfused at Soul Jah Love and Bounty Lisa's engagement party at the Harare Gardens in early April 2014. Calaz finished his set at the wee hours of the Sunday morning and as he was making his way off the stage, Qounfused allegedly pounced on him and gave him a shower of blows leaving him with shaking teeth. The reason for the attack was unknown. Quonfused who tried to escape from the scene was blocked by the fans and instantly got arrested by police details who were at the venue.[10]

Split with Moira Knight

Seh Calaz and Moira Knight shocked their followers when they both announced their shattering split on social media. First to break the news was Calaz, who vowed to protect his former wife by not speaking ill of her. While Calaz appears to have moved on, Moira said she tried to engage the chanter but to no avail.

She even shared her commitment towards ironing out their differences by engaging Calaz’s relative but it did not yield results. Moira then poured her heart on social media where she posted: “Kutaura privately as adults ndinenge ndichitoda but as you can imagine haana chaanotaurika naye. He is very good at kutiza. I have not seen Tawanda since 12th august paakatiza mumba akajamba jura hall when I tried to talk to him. I spent my birthday with his relatives takamumirira so that we could discuss the issues but he did not turn up even after being phoned several times. I have been away for a few months, not on holiday but giving birth to my son and unfortunately when I came back ndakaona imba yave sango hence my reason for involving his relatives.”

Moles told H-Metro that Calaz and Moira have been experienced marital problems like any other couple but said they did not wish it to end in this fashion. Moira is said have been battling to save her marriage but without success.[11]

Awards

ZimDancehall Awards

  • Best Social Message – Usamurove (2015)
  • Best Conscious Song – Amai (2015)
  • Best Vocalist (2014)
  • Best Video (2014)
  • Best Club Hit (2014)
  • Best Vocalist (2014)
  • Best Vocalist (2013)

Picture Gallery




References

  1. Wedding bells for Seh Calaz, Moira Knight NewsDay, Retrieved: June 13, 2017
  2. Moira Knight speaks out after assault:”Calaz is the only man for me”, iHarare, Retrieved: June 13, 2017
  3. 3.0 3.1 Paidashe Mandivengerei, Moira Knight Demands US$2 000 Child Support From Seh Calaz, NewZimbabwe.com, Published: February 17, 2022, Retrieved: March 8, 2022
  4. Calaz’s Ex-wife, Moira Knight, Granted $45 000 Maintenance, Pindula News, Published: March 30, 2022, Retrieved: March 30, 2022
  5. Kumbirayi Shonhiwa, Mbare rules the roost at dancehall contest, The Herald, Published: 9 Dec 2013, Retrieved: 8 Apr 2014
  6. Kumbirayi Shoniwa Turbulence Gives Thumbs Up To Seh Calaz, The Herald, Published: 11 December 2013, Retrieved: 8 April 2014
  7. Seh Calaz and Soul Jah love swindle and snub promoter after being paid, switch off their phones,Iharare, Published: 19 February 2014, Retrieved: 8 April 2014
  8. B. Phiri, Seh Calaz and Soul Jah Love blame each other for violence,Nehanda Radio, Published: 11 November 2014, Retrieved: 6 January 2015
  9. Dakarasai Mashava, Has Winky D's crown slipped off?, DailyNews, Published: 16 February 2014, Retrieved: 8 April 2014
  10. Nigel Pfunde, Qounfused arrested over alleged Calaz assault, The Zimbabwe Mail, Pubished: 7 April 2014, Retrieved: 8 April 2014
  11. Trust Khosa, [1], H-Metro, Published: 17 August, 2020, Accessed: 18 August, 2020

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