IVY Kombo is one of Zimbabwe’s most successful female singers. The gospel star, propelled to national stardom by hits such as Sammy Joe and Handidzokere Shure, has had a fairly tumultuous private life. But now based in Luton, England, with her husband, Bishop Admire Kasi, Ivy says the past is forgotten and she only looks forward:

Marital Status & Children: Married to Bishop Admire Kasi, with three children Sammy Jo, Atipa and Tawina-Maya – all girls.

You have had a fairly tumultuous private life, particularly the controversy around your marriage to Bishop Kasi. Have you gotten over that?

I learnt an important lesson in life during that period of my life, which was to keep my mouth shut. It was through God that I pulled through, with the support of my fans and family of course. I know a lot of people that had come to know me through my music prayed for me. It was difficult, but I pulled through.

What did you find most difficult to deal with during the period when you were in the headlines?

There were a lot of things being said which were not true. People didn’t realise the hurt they were causing. I of course do understand that when you are a celebrity, people will create stories about you and you are powerless to stop this and rarely do the people peddling false rumours about you want to hear the correct version. But I have forgiven, and it’s all in the past.

I started singing at a very young age. I was singing in the primary school choir and at age 10, I would go to church with my mum and I used to sing there and during crusades. I recorded my first album when I was sixteen, and by the time I did a second, my life was consumed by music  and I decided them I would go commercial. It felt natural making that decision, singing is all I ever wanted to do.

I have 13 albums and I am currently in the studio recording the 14th. [Ivy Kombo Albums: Mufudzi Wangu, Ndinokudai Jesu, Mwari NdiMweya, Wawana Jesu, Ndaidziwanepi Nyasha, Nyengetera, Kutenda, Revival Songs, Nguva Yakwana, Handidzokere Shure 1 and 2, Mufudzi Wangu (Remix)]

Quite a lot. At the moment I am wrting songs for my new album and at the same time I am studying law and being a mother. I’m balancing all these things and it’s not always easy.

When I came to England I worked briefly as a support worker at a mental hospital. I found it hard.

I was very quiet and shy. I just had a couple of friends. I wasn’t really an outgoing or outspoken person [She attended St Johns High School near Juru Growth Point].

Quite a number of things. Maybe I’d talk to my mother again, not that I didn’t talk to her, but I would be more closer to her. I would also seek God more and set my priorities right.

I believe I am fearfully, wonderfully made by God but I wish I could be taller. Also, I have done so many good things for my mother but wish I could do more, making her happy all the time.

Not being a Christian ... I shudder to imagine what would happen to my life.

Handidzokere Shure. It came to me in a dream ... I was in a gravel road, dancing and singing that song. I woke up and wrote the words, then went back to sleep. When we recorded the song and tried to put it on Nguva Yakwana (album), we realised the songs were already enough so we put it aside. It became the title track of my next album and it got me three nominations in the Zimbabwe Music Awards for song of the year, best female and best gospel. It was also the best selling album of 2003.

Want You Back by Take That. I also think most of Michael Jackson’s work was genius.

How do you prepare yourself for a show? Do you perform any rituals?

I find that the best way of overcoming nerves before going on stage is to do a lot of practise. If you don’t practise, you are in trouble. The only thing I do before going on stage is to pray that everything goes well, but the best preparation is rehearsing.

If one singer or group was to perform at your party, who would get the call?

If your house was gutted by fire and you had time to save two items, what would those be?

How do you deal with anger, and what gets you upset?

I have discovered that there is wisdom in keeping quiet, and knowing that time is the greatest healer of all injuries – emotional or otherwise.

Is there someone you would like to meet before you die?

I would have loved to meet Oral Roberts [American preacher], but he sadly died in 2009. He was my hero.

How would you want to be remembered when you finally put down the microphone?

I will not stop singing. When I stop that means I am dead, you will write the orbituary.