Ivy Kombo Biography
Ivy Kombo is a Zimbabwean gospel music artist and lawyer based in the United Kingdom. Ivy started singing at a young age and composed her first song, “Be Thou My Vision,” at St John’s Chikwaka High School. This biography provides insights into her personal and professional life, including her career, controversies, and public interactions.
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Age
Ivy Kombo, was born on April 16, 1975, in Harare, Zimbabwe which means that she is 48 years old as of 2023.
Husband
Ivy Kombo is married to Admire Kasi, the founder of UpperView International Ministries. Ivy and Admire customarily married in 2003 and relocated to the UK. Ivy’s previous marriage was with Reverend Edmore (Eddie) Moyo, which did not work out.
Ivy’s ex-husband, Reverend Edmore Moyo, accused Pastor Admire Kasi of destroying his marriage with Ivy. Moyo claimed that Kasi kept calling Ivy even on their honeymoon and that he was warned by people in the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) church they used to attend that “Ivy mukadzi wa Kasi- Ivy is Kasi’s wife.”
Education
She completed her secondary education at St John’s Chikwaka High School before relocating to the United Kingdom in 2006. Ivy pursued her education, earning an LLB Law and LLM International Commercial Law degree at the University of Bedfordshire and an MSC in Project Management at the University of Northampton.
Gospel Career
Early Years
Ivy is best known for her gospel music career. In 1992, she joined the Ezekiel Guti Evangelical Association Gospel Train (EGEA), popularly known as Gospel Train, founded by Admire Kasi. She recorded her debut album in 1993, titled “Mufudzi Wangu,” with the group. EGEA Gospel Train recorded four successful albums between 1992 and 1996.
Solo Career
In 1996, Ivy and Carol Mujokoro Chivengwa left the group to pursue solo careers. Since 1993, Ivy Kombo consistently released songs as a solo artist, including popular tracks such as “Nguva Yakwana,” “Handidzokere Shure,” “Mwari Ndimweya,” and “Wawana Jesu.”
Nguva Yakwana Gospel Show
Ivy Kombo is also the co-founder of Nguva Yakwana Gospel Show. The show has been instrumental in launching the careers of many gospel artists who have made it in the industry.
Nguva Yakwana Gospel Show is a gospel concert and festival that brings together local, regional, and international gospel musicians on one big stage, showcasing their talent while providing upcoming musicians with a launchpad for their careers.
The event was launched in 2000 by Ivy and Pastor Kasi, the founder of UpperView International Ministries. The concert was held annually from 2000 to 2006 when Kombo and Kasi relocated to the UK. The concert took a break then reemerged in 2019 when Pastor Kasi visited Zimbabwe with Ivy Kombo.
Career Switch to Law
In 2023, Ivy Kombo made an unexpected career switch to law. She and her husband, Pastor Admire Kasi, announced that they were now legally able to practice as lawyers in Zimbabwe. Ivy holds LLB Law and LLM International Commercial Law degrees from the University of Bedfordshire, while her husband holds a Master’s Degree in Law from the University of Buckingham (UK). Ivy encouraged her followers, stating that it’s never too late for a career change, even as a mother of five.
Both Ivy Kombo and her husband Bishop Admire Kasi were admitted as lawyers at the High Court in Harare in February 2023. However, the couple was later arrested on charges of fraud and perjury over this.
Controversies
Ivy Kombo’s life and career have not been without controversies. Her personal and professional journey has been marked by various events and allegations, including her departure from EGEA Gospel Train to pursue a solo career and rumors surrounding her romantic relationships.
Ex-Husband and Marriage
In 2010, Ivy Kombo’s ex-husband, Reverend Edmore Moyo, spoke out about the collapse of their marriage and how it was allegedly destroyed by Pastor Admire Kasi, who had looked after Ivy and her twin sister Anne Kombo since they were orphaned. Pastor Kasi had adopted Ivy and Anne as his daughters.
This led to rumors of an affair between Ivy and Pastor Kasi while she was married to Reverend Moyo, causing a public scandal over the alleged adultery.
Defiant Stance
In 2019, Ivy Kombo returned to Zimbabwe after 12 years in exile and faced accusations of adultery and going against accepted norms for marrying Pastor Admire Kasi, who had adopted her as his daughter. She remained defiant, asserting that only God would judge her.
Ivy Kombo 2023 Arrest for Fraud and Perjury
In November 2023, Ivy Kombo and her husband, Pastor Admire Kasi, were arrested for fraudulently acquiring fake certificates to practice law in Zimbabwe after obtaining Bachelor of Laws degrees in England. The couple was among 12 lawyers admitted at the High Court earlier in the year, using certificates fraudulently obtained with the assistance of a suspended Council for Legal Education official. They are expected to appear at the Magistrates’ court to answer charges of fraud and perjury.
References
- Ivy Kombo, husband arrested – The Herald, November 02, 2023
- Ivy Kombo ex-husband speaks out on marriage – Nehanda Radio, July 30, 2010
- Ivy Kombo – An inspiration or not? – The Herald, May 23, 2011
- The Carol Chivengwa-Mujokoro & Ivy Kombo-Kasi Egea puzzle – intimatemomentswithzimmusicians.blogspot.com
- Mother Of Five Shakes Up Zimbabwe: Yesteryear Gospel Musician Ivy Kombo-Kasi Inspires With Career Switch – iharare.com, February 9, 2023
- “I Am Only Answerable To God” – Defiant Ivy Kombo Finally Speaks Out – iharare.com, April 1, 2019