A man's gift will buy the attention of eminent people, so says the book of life!
For multiple award-winning musician Takesure 'Zamar' Ncube those words thoroughly epitomise his musical journey.
Understandably so, the Zimbabwe-born songwriter and worshipper has made it his business to churn out original and authentic tunes in his seven albums.
And his ingenuity has never gone unnoticed – from catching the attention of Africa's most crowned gospel ensemble, Joyous Celebration, sharing the stage with global music icon, VaShawn Mitchell, to traveling the length and breadth of the world and bagging coveted accolades.
Yet the man still remains self-effacing and craving to "stay connected" to his maker.
"Writing songs is very key because it maintains your DNA as an artist, you keep your originality and it sustains your music career for long," he says.
In an era where recycling old hymns has become a dreary norm in gospel music, Ncube refuses to "salvage other people's erstwhile masterpieces".
Perhaps that explains why songs like Agere Pachigaro (He is seated on the throne), redone by Spirit of Praise, Kuregerera in advance (Forgiving in advance) and Wongigcina Ngci (He keeps me safe), both featured by Joyous Celebration, have the longest shelf-life than most modern-day hits.
His determination to write inspired gospel melodies, birthed from as early as age 10, has seen him write over 500 songs. 100 of those have gone into his first seven albums and earned him accolades including best male artist in the Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZIMA) in 2015, and the popular SABC Crown Gospel Awards in 2018. Ncube was named Africa's best gospel crooner courtesy of his much-loved Ngidinga Wena (I seek after you) hit.
Those that have followed his career as it burgeoned almost a decade ago attribute his meteoric rise to his exceptional song-writing skills.
Understandably, Ncube, who turned 39 in February, combines his song-writing skills and the musical 'schoolings' picked when studying Music and Musicology Diploma at the Zimbabwe College of Music in 2005.
Predictably, his songs, written with such aplomb, are now being sung across the SADC especially in his native Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, as well as in the United Kingdom.
"It's been a joy to see my songs sung by other artists, at weddings and in churches. Zaza from Spirit of Praise sang my song Agere Pachigaro."
Without a doubt, Ncube's music comes with a flair of different varieties ranging from Afro-jazz, your blues to contemporary gospel. His next album will be no different.
"My next album is coming out at the end of April, there's gonna be lots of jazzing up and jazzing down, plus worship music," he says assuredly.
The multilingual musician believes his ability to speak different local languages gives him the edge.
In fact, in his 2018 album, he used Zulu, Venda, Sotho, Swahili, Shona and Tswana glibly. Zulu, Venda and Sotho are spoken in South Africa while Tswana is spoken in Botswana and Swahili in East Africa.
"I grew up in a border town, Beitbridge, and that gave me the opportunity to learn all South African languages. I also benefited a lot from watching South African television productions and listening to their radio stations," he says.
His move to South Africa three years ago, he says, was prompted by a desire to enlarge his sphere of influence in as far as music is concerned.
Fortunately, his switch was made smooth because of his understanding of some South African cultures and languages.
He believes the South African industry is more organised while Zimbabwe's has no proper distribution structures and marketing which makes South Africa better.
Interestingly, some five years ago, Ncube met his wife, Kudzi, who was a stranger at the time. Nine months later the two were a married couple.
"When I saw her singing at her church, I whispered to my friend that 'the person singing is my wife'. His response was that I was being silly since I didn't know this lady. But I told him something in me told me she was the one. This was in March and by December we were married," he says with a smile.
He explains the reason they were quick to settle down was because of the "inner witness" they both had.
"I asked God for someone who didn't know me. Fortunately, it was her first time to see me and it was her first time to hear my music.
"I didn't want to marry a fan, I wanted to marry a friend. So after I saw her I spoke to her pastor and enquired about her just to be sure I was not getting myself into trouble.
"He told me that when he invited me, he had also hoped I'd notice her. And so we made him our marriage officer because of that," he explains.
Now, being married to a chartered accountant, Ncube says his finances are managed remarkably.
His wife, he says, also knows when it is time for him to pen a new song.
"She will switch off my phone and make sure I focus and write the song."
Ncube is clear on his calling, and is poised to see it come to full manifestation.
"I'm called to be a revivalist and to push the agenda of worship. My songs have to set people free, deliver them and heal them. My songs have to bring people to a place of prayer. My heart's desire is that when one listens to my song in the car, it changes the atmosphere and ignites them to worship God," he says.
His weekends are ever busy with many church conferences, weddings and concert engagements in and out of South Africa.
But in the midst of his busy schedule, he is careful not to neglect the discipline of studying the word of God and prayer.
A longing to share his experiences with fellow believers pushed him to author a book on praise and worship titled, “The Power of Praise and Worship.”
"The idea behind the book was to help someone understand the importance of praise and worship.
"I believe doing something with knowledge ensures it is done properly and effectively so the book was also to empower the church."
On a Monday, which is his off-day, Ncube, who resides in Pretoria, enjoys talking a lot of "baby language" with his two daughters.
"I enjoy spending time with my daughters and teaching them life skills young as they are," he adds.
Besides writing songs, the founder of Worship Addicts, also plays the keyboard, the guitar and the saxophone.
He unapologetically intends to make an impact in the lives of people across the globe through his gift.