Joseph Msika akazvarwa musi wa 6 December 1923 kumaruwa eChiweshe mudunhu reMazowe. Baba vake vakanga vaine barika, mudzimai wavo wekutanga akazvara vanasikana; iye Joseph ndiye akazova mukomana wekutanga akazvarwa nemudzimai wechipiri. Baba naAmai vaJoseph vaiva memba dzeKereke yeAnglican. Kunonzi baba vaJoseph Msika yaiva hurudza ine gumbi remombe dzasvika zana nekuraudza uye vakanga vakaita bhizinisi rekutaura nhumbi nevanhu kubva kuMazowe kuenda kuHarare.