ZIMBABWEAN medical doctor and haematology specialist professor Zivanai Cuthbert Chapanduka has made huge strides on the music arena in South Africa.
Chapanduka is a professor of haematological pathology at Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the National Health Laboratory Service, Tygerberg Hospital.
He is, however, known in music circles by his studio name, Prof Daddy or Groovy Dr Zi.
Prof Daddy recorded his first album titled Mandela is a Giant, with the trio called Peanuts and Ice-cream in Rhodene low-density suburb in Masvingo and included a praise poem he wrote for the global statesman Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
He sent a copy of the CD to Madiba before he passed away.
In 2022 while on an academic visit to the Great Zimbabwe University Medical Faculty in Masvingo, Prof Daddy recorded the song Mtshele — Tell Her You Love Her —under his Kickstone Charisma Label which was produced by Teddy of Infinix Studios.
The song has lyrics in the English, Shona and Nguni languages.
In November 2022, he teamed up with his producer, Franschhoek-based Olly van Schalkwyk of Ollyvans Studios.
He has since released five singles Waitwa Sei, Mhururu, World War 4, Woga and Gimme Musiek, the latest.
His interest in music started at an early age, seeing the then district medical officer McLeod Chitiyo play the guitar for hospital staff’s children at Ndanga Hospital in Zaka.
Chitiyo (a haematological pathologist as well) asked him to sing, thereby giving him his first opportunity to sing into a microphone at the age of five, a thrilling experience he vividly remembers.
Prof Daddy says he was head of the church choir during his secondary school days at Gokomere High School in Masvingo and learned to play the guitar, largely self-taught.
For his birthday in 1997, he said his then girlfriend (later wife) bought him an acoustic guitar, which he immediately traded in for a better instrument later named “Dad’s Gun” by his children.
The Gun is still in pristine condition.
Prof Daddy’s father was a chorister, composer and player of many musical instruments, including the accordion, guitar, penny whistle, hosho (gourd/rattles) and traditional drums.
His youngest son, Taffy composed a blues song at five years of age, while watching the movie Blues Brothers.
The song, Song for Mambo, was on the 2012 album Mandela is a Giant.
His only grandchild, Masha, created the melody for his latest song Gimme Musiek, a mixed Afrikaans English lyrics song featuring actress singer Marissa Claasen.
Prof Daddy said his musical influences were heavy metal rock, soul, blues, jazz and reggae on the international scene.
Regionally, he relates to various genres but notably the music of Otis Waygood, Makgona Tshohle band, Mahlatini and Mahotela Queens, Mparanyana and others.
His other African influences include Zambians Nash Pichen, Alick Nkata and Paul Ngozi and Zimbabweans, Thomas Mapfumo, Oliver Mtukudzi, Bundu Boys, Dorothy Masuka, Hilton Mambo, Jethro Shasha and Louis Mhlanga.
South African maskandi singer Phuz’ekhemisi and his friend then, late great Busi Mhlongo also impacted his music as did the inimitable Bra Hugh Masekela with whom he developed a friendship over the years.
Prof Daddy said guitarists Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Tonny Lommi, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton and BB King also had a huge impact on him.
He describes his genre as Afro-rock and Afro-pop although he admits to be in his element when he does his own emerging genre which he calls mbakumba rock-based.
This is based on the drum rhythm called mbakumba (mbaa-koom-baa) and includes various African elements such as clappers, shakers, rattles and others.
Chapanduka is a full-time professor, teaching medicals, doctors, scientists and specialists, and researches, with numerous peer reviewed publications to his credit.
He is a visiting professor at the Great Zimbabwe University’s Simon Mazorodze School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
A teetotaler for 25 years, he enjoys road running with 7 Comrades medals, a few Two Oceans Marathon runs to his credit and countless full marathons.