VETERAN gospel musician Amos Mahendere has called out his “self-centered” brother-the award-winning Minister Michael Mahendere-for “stealing” his plans to set up a recording studio and a gospel radio station.
The outburst by the elder Mahendere follows the announcement earlier this month by the younger Mahendere that he has begun a fundraising initiative for a gospel radio station and a state-of-the-art recording studio as part of activities he has lined-up to celebrate his 40th birthday.
Speaking to the Daily News yesterday, Amos said his young brother’s decision to mimic his initiative was ruinous to his own plans as he was already putting final touches to his own “state-of-the-art” recording studio in Chitungwiza.
“I feel my young brother is out to destroy and discredit my efforts. He is fully aware of the projects I am undertaking and these include a state-of-the-art recording studio which is between 80 and 90 percent complete and a radio station called Chitown FM which I, together with my business partners including Tauya Masunda and Wonder Mhike among others, applied to relevant authorities in 2018,” Amos said now called Father Mahendere, after graduating with a diploma in evangelism, Amos told the Daily News that he expected his brother to support the ‘family’ projects and vision.
“When he officially announced his plans to set up the projects, he never mentioned that he was copying the idea from us. “Our projects are meant to benefit the entire Chitungwiza community but he does not want to support the vision; he is self-centred or selfish to say the least,” he said.
According to Amos, the radio station will broadcast from Aquatic Complex while the recording studio named “The Base Academy Chitungwiza Community Recording Studio” is housed at his Unit G house near Makoni shopping centre.
Asked to respond to the accusations, Minister Mahendere could neither deny nor confirm. “I don’t have any comment on that,” Michael said.
The Worship Direct front man, who will turn 40 in May, has , however, launched a fundraising campaign for the projects under the banner “Minister @40” which is running under the theme “Building a Heritage of Excellence.”
“We are going to host the dinner and fundraising celebration event at the Country Club in Harare on May 27 where we expect a diverse cast of local, regional and global celebrities in attendance,” Minister Mahendere said recently.