Virtually unknown pre-2000 except to a few ex-schoolmates and her family circle, Fungisai Zvakavapano has captured the national consciousness since bursting onto the scene as a 19-year-old gospel protege of veteran singer, Elias Musakwa. Like any hot young star, all sorts of rumours have followed her. In an interview this week, she picks fact from the rumours in The Truth About: Fungisai Zvakavapano

Children: Two kids – a boy, Tawananyasha, and a girl, Matipanyasha

I always wanted to be a musician since I was little, but as every artist will tell you, you need a big break. Mine came in 2000 when I backed Elias Musakwa [gospel singer] at a church function when one of his backing vocalists pulled out. I had my demo with a few songs and I gave it to Musakwa after that show. Weeks later, he called me to record my first album. From then, there was no looking back.

I considered being a teacher, because everyone else was doing it. I was really close to becoming a teacher because I had got a place at Marymount Teachers' College before I met Musakwa. I also thought of a career in marketing, but that really wasn’t me because my real passion is music.

You were a member of a group, the Heaven Bound Family, while at Mutoko High School. Now that you have chosen a solo career, can we speculate that you didn’t enjoy being a member of a group?

Not at all. It was great fun, partly because I was the founder of the group and so was responsible for it in many ways. We really had a good time as school children but you should understand we all came from all walks of life with different dreams after school. We all went off to pursue our dreams, and mine was singing.

Your first album Tinokutendai Ishe Vol 1 was released back in 2000. Are you surprised how well you have done?

On one level I was slightly surprised, because when you are starting there are so many people telling you “zvakaoma” or “it’s not easy to come out on TV” – quite a lot of negative stuff. But I can say knowing my God, I was not that surprised.

It’s proved to be very easy. We are managing. It can be a challenge because I have other things to do on top of music, like designing women’s clothes and studying [Sociology, Women’s University in Africa] but I manage with the help of my husband and family.

I do all the costumes for my backing vocalists who are all female. It’s been a hobby, until recently when I got more people wanting me to design clothes for them. I’m hoping to do it on a larger scale, and launch a clothing label.

The internet is full of stories about you and President Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace. Is it true, for instance, that you are friends and that she gave you a housing stand?

As an artist I’m a friend to everyone who listens to my music. Most of the people I know who get in touch with my music love it so much. Singing in their cars and homes everyday makes me their friend.

I see her [Mrs Mugabe] as a mother, as the wife to the leader, I can’t say tinotamba tese.

I think a lot of the stuff that’s created about my relationship with her started when she publicly said she likes my music and plays it in her car. That got people thinking that she does everything for me. I’m everything I am because I work very hard, I don’t sit down.

The issue of the housing stand is a strange one because I was allocated a stand by the Harare City Council after being on the waiting list for donkey years. This is a matter of public record and all truth seekers can verify that with the Council.

Being a marketing manager at one financial institution. I’m an artist and sitting behind a desk all day, only going out for lunch between 1-2PM, was a pain. You will not understand how hard it is to do something you are not passionate about until you actually find yourself in that situation. I’m an artist and like being my own boss, doing things in my own time.

Vangoma (also known as Kurarama Inyasha), it was my first song. It put me in the limelight.

Firstly, secure a place for me in heaven; secondly, talk nicely to the World Bank and fill-up my bank account and thirdly, keep me young so I live longest.

I have quite a number. You get advice from different people in life, but I would say I am inspired by Rebecca Malope [South African gospel star]. She has amazing energy on stage, something which I learnt from her although I do it in my own way. I was also inspired by Shuvai Wutawunashe when I was growing up. When I watched her on TV, I always though to myself: “I should be a singer like that woman.”

There are too many. One was that I had been divorced … and yet I’ve always been on honeymoon, and I’m still there! I think that rumour came from my song Pindirai. You see people here they can’t separate real life from art and show-business. If you are in a role-play as a thief, some people end up believing you are a thief in real life. So when people heard that song, they were like ‘she’s singing about heartbreak, her husband has left her’.