Minister Michael Mahendere (birth-name: Michael Mahendere) born 28 May 1983 is a Zimbabwean gospel musician, Pastor and businessman. Mahendere is a pastor at United Family International Church under Emmanuel Makandiwa. He has a successful career having re-arranged the song, Makanaka Jesu together with the UFI Choir, which became a hit and is also well known for his album, Getting Personal With God II with hits such as Mumoyo. He is usually associated with the title, "Minister" Michael Mahendere.
Minister Michael Mahendere started music at the age of seven in 1990. He began his career being part of the group, Mahendere Brothers which consisted of his brothers Akim, Misheck, and Amos. Their first album was Mwari Mukuru in 1994 which topped the charts in Southern Africa. Michael Mahendere was only eleven at this time. He believed there was more he could do to develop himself in terms of music and although he had limited resources, he began to learn how to play instruments. He started learning the acoustic guitar which his father had bought for them. He then learnt to play the keyboard and the drums in 1998. He never had actual drums but he improvised to develop his skill. Some of the projects he did with his brothers include Rumbidzo and Mapisarema 23.In 2001, Michael Mahendere began to do commercials such as 'Go Warriors, Go' for the Zimbabwe Soccer Team. These projects saw him collaborating with some top musicians such as the Ruvhuvhuto Sisters, in the ‘Come to Victoria Falls’ project. He also joined the popular group, Pax Afro and did a twenty-six track music project with them. Michael Mahendere claims this venture gave him exposure in his career.
In 2009, Michael Mahendere became a Music Director at the University of Zimbabwe and launched a Chinese Choral group which became attached to the Confucius Institute. He spent about four years travelling to and fro
and China. Michael Mahendere declined a scholarship to study Music in China as he had found a home at the United Family International Church where he served in the choir.
In 2011, the church's choir (UFI Choir) did a musical project in which Michael Mahendere led a song called Makanaka Jesu, which has over 1.8 million YouTube views. The song became a hit up-to date and topped radio and television charts in the country.
Salt of the Earth
- Michael Mahendere
Overcomer
- Michael Mahendere
Ndinobuda Pakaoma (I Burst Forth From Dry Ground)
- Michael Mahendere
My Time Has Come
- Michael Mahendere - Jimmy D Psalmist
You're Bigger
- UFIC Choir - Michael Mahendere
Christ in Me
- Michael Mahendere
Adonai
- Michael Mahendere
Taura Shoko (Speak A Word)
- Michael Mahendere
Champion of Champions
- Michael Mahendere
Lord Fill The Earth
- Michael Mahendere