TATENDA George Mundondwa's journey is a testament to the power of passion, hard work, and embracing opportunities.
Known for always kicking off the weekend mood with his musical show on radio every Saturday, the energetic broadcaster has managed to steal not only the ears but also the hearts of many Zimbabweans far and wide.
The ZiFM presenter, known on air as Tatenda G, celebrates his fifth year in the industry this year.
In what he calls humbling nostalgia, he shared his journey exclusively with Standard Style, recalling how it all began.
"I was born and raised in Zimbabwe, by our typical African parents, you know.
“They instilled discipline in me and the importance of education and responsibility in life.
“This led me to pursue a degree after high school. I went to the University of Zimbabwe and earned a double major in Statistics and Mathematics," he said.
However, Tatenda G's true passion lay in the arts.
- The remarkable story of Tatenda G
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"I fell in love with music and performance at a young age, teaching himself** (himself should be changed to "himself") to play the piano and sing before he could even count to 100," he said.
"So after completing my studies, I worked as a statistician for a business and research consultancy firm. But that creative spark couldn't be ignored."
In 2019, Tatenda's life took a dramatic turn when StarFM's KVG responded to a tweet he had posted.
"I dream to be a radio presenter someday, by rain or by thunder, by fire or by what I will be one. Handina hangu accent yeku private school asi handiyo nhau ba (I don't really have an accent from a private school, but the fact of the matter is that I will be on radio)," read the tweet in 2019.
This chance encounter led to a meeting with Danny That Guy, who was the Programming Manager at ZiFM at the time. He saw potential in the young statistician-turned-artist.
"With Danny's guidance and training, I began my career in media, hosting my own show on ZiFM," he said.
Tatenda's big break came in 2022 when he replaced Patience Musa on the Exhale block, a show she had hosted for ten years.
His charisma and talent quickly won over audiences, growing his fan base over eight months.
He then moved on to host the prestigious ZiTop40 on ZiFM Stereo, cementing his position as a leading media personality in Zimbabwe.
Throughout his journey, Tatenda acknowledges the impact of numerous industry professionals and mentors who helped shape his career. He credits Supa Mandiwanzira, Simba Mudereri, Dj Mox, Misred, TK, Noxy, Miss Becky, Nash, Mai Makore, and KVG, among others, for their guidance and support.
"Some of my career highlights came when I was invited by South African Tourism for the DSTV Delicious Festival in Johannesburg. I got to network and mingle with some of the biggest media personalities from different African countries. I really enjoyed my interactions with Davido, but I loved the one I did with Sho Madjozi. She's such a lovely human being," said the star.
"I hope my story serves as a reminder that success is often the result of embracing opportunities, hard work, and dedication. I hope I inspire someone out there to never give up on chasing their dreams."
Some fun facts about Tatenda: He was born in Harare, grew up in Mutare then moved to Gweru before settling in Masvingo. He currently lives in Harare where he also works. He suffers from Coulrophobia which is an intense fear of clowns.
