Stimela

BIO

Born in 1984, Fatima Katiji, best known by her stage name Stimela is a Zimbabwean female musician. She is a backing vocalist at a local band called Third Generation. The music outfit is owned by Jah Prayzar, one of the country's top musicians. Stimela is sister to Edith WeUtonga Katiji, a celebrated female jazz artist in the country. Her early childhood at Two Brigade Barracks and at HQ1 Brigade, Brady Barracks where her father was in the army, was an early prophesy to the musical career she now lives as part of the military themed-band, Third Generation. She used to love singing at church and school and after high school in 2000 she joined her sister Edith at Amakhosi Theatre 2002, where she studied music and dance. She then became a member of an all-female group called Amakhosikazi.

When Edith left Bulawayo for Harare, she took her place and became lead vocalist for the group Five Fold led by Hudson Simbarashe. Two years later, she joined Edith in Harare where they formed an all-female outfit. Katiji went on to join the Shaina hitmaker, Alexio Kawara and the Shades of Black. She has also worked with Diana Samkange and Josh Meck before she joined Jah Prayzah. Än artiste in her own right, she has recorded with various artistes like Thanda Richardson, Nesto, Gift Amuli, Tariro Negitare, Simbarashe and UK-based gospel artiste Jane Doka.

She has shared the stage with legendary artistes such as Oliver Mutukudzi, the late Chiwoniso Maraire, Busi Ncube, Ringo Madlingozi, Thomas Mapfumo and Yvonne Chakachaka. Performing on international stages far from home and being appreciated is so humbling. At Hifa 2011, Katiji had the privilege of doing a solo act where she performed the opening song. She also has done a bit of theatre, a HIFA direct entitled, It Never Rains by Thembelihle Moyo.