Sandy signs $100 000 U.S. record deal

Sandy signs $100 000 U.S. record deal

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By Showbiz Reporter
VISIT SANDY'S WEBSITE: http://www.sandyministries.com/

ZIMBABWEAN gospel diva Sandra Karanda has reportedly signed a $100 000 recording deal in the United States -- the biggest deal ever signed by a Zimbabwean recording asrtist.

Karanda, 28, was unavailable for comment last night but the deal was reported on two American radio stations.

Stunned New Zimbabwe.com readers in the United States hailed Karanda's amazing breakthrough last night after hearing songs from her new album, Apple of his Eyes (listen and buy here) on several radio stations.

One reader said: "I am proud of our lovely sister. She is doing so well, we are so proud of the work that she is doing. We need more women like her."

Another reader added: "Sandy has done it. I heard her song on radio, it was nice hearing Shona ichi ridzwa mu (being played in) America. Hallelujah!"

Repeated attempts to get a comment from the star were unsuccessful last night.

Karanda, featured on New Zimbabwe.com when she released her album, lives in Maryland, United States.

She told New Zimbabwe.com in an interview last year: "I just got inspired to sing. My first passion was dance, so I took dance classes, which I continue to do up to this day. It's all just for fun though, but singing is a calling from God. Music is my life. When I sing and dance, I find peace and joy because it is my comfort zone."

She recently launched an organisation for orphans in Zimbabwe as part of her Sandy Ministries website with an invitation to Zimbabweans, especially abroad, to adopt orphans through the Yamurai Childen's Foundation.

She told us: "In my Christian walk, and my deep love for children I found that God wanted me to do more than just sing. Sandy Ministries is for everyone -- the umbrella body of my music, Yamuri Children's Foundation, prayer partnership, bible study and different outreach projects."

Born to a family of three - two girls and a boy -- Sandy was raised up as a Catholic, and then got "saved" when she joined the Full Gospel Church aged 17. A year later, in 1996, she left on a scholarship.

When she is not in church or at the studio, Sandy is a model, another of her passions shared by her family.

She said: "My grandmother Margaret Simon was a model and was crowned the one and only Miss Centenary back in the day. I took after her in so many ways. After I got here, I took up modeling in 1999 and signed a contract with Jasz Productions in DC. I did runway, fashion shows, Hair Shows and featured in a few local magazines.

"When my contract was up, I signed a new contract with Uptown Models, Inc. where I got an opportunity to travel to NYC and other great cities in the USA doing different Fashion shows with top fashion designers. I then participated in the first Miss Zim USA in 2004 which was held in Atlanta GA. I also opened both Miss Zim USA 2004 and 2005 Shows by singing the Zimbabwe National Anthem."

VISIT SANDY'S WEBSITE: http://www.sandyministries.com/
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