Actress Vhengedza now a diamond girl

Sophia Chese-Msowa : Arts Correspondent

Barbara Vhengedza came to the limelight when she replaced Anne Nhira to play the role of Vimbai Jari in the then popular soap, “Studio 263”. Since the demise of the television production Vhengedza had a number of film and theatre roles before trying her hand in music. The talented artist has enhanced her versatility through venturing into broadcasting.Vhengedza is now a presenter with the recently launched Zimpapers radio station Diamond FM, which is based in Mutare.

On air, Vhengedza uses the nickname “Tear Drop”.

The Manicaland-based station has some of the best voices in broadcasting and Vhengedza has proved she is multi-talented.

After “Studio 263” she featured in film productions including “Lobola”, “Bitter Pill” and “Contagious” while she was on a theatre stage for the play “Wedding Day”.

Vhengedza ventured in music in 2014 and released her jazz album titled “Spirit, Emotions and Tears”.

In an interview, the ever-jovial Vhengedza described herself as a woman of many words, who loves to talk and express herself.

“I just love words: talking and performing and I can say my strength is that I am not afraid to express how I feel. I started off in acting and I can say it was really fun to be on television, but acting did not give me enough room to express myself since I was limited to a script and the director’s instructions,” she said.

“It was when I released my album ‘Spirit, Emotions and Tears’ that I felt I was able to express myself more. Music got into my personal experiences and I saw and felt and I enjoyed it more,” she said.

She also had a stint in poetry, but she feels being a radio personality allows her to grow as an artist and allow her to express herself, standing for her community in Mutare where she comes from.

“I feel so honoured to have been given a platform to transform my community. Radio allows me to carry on growing and exploring the talent God gave me.

“I have realised that a gift has so many dimensions and it is up to individuals to explore the branches. Diamond FM is a radio for the community and we mainly focus on giving back to the community and representing it.

“I grew up in Mutare so Diamond FM has given me a platform to expose my community as well as addressing issues affecting it.”

She hosts a number of shows with most of them aiming at improving people’s lives and these include the “Home Bound” (from 3 to 6 pm), a women’s programme “Her Story” and “Misha” that explores teenagers’ way of life.

“I am into entertaining people and also I do programmes like ‘Her Story’ which celebrates women’s achievements without looking at their backgrounds or what they went through because society has a tendency of stigmatising people for what they have gone through.

“In this programme we encourage women not to be ashamed of where they have been,” she said.

Vhengedza said the nickname Tear Drop comes from her album “Spirit, Emotions and Tears”.

“The name Tear Drop comes from my album. Let me just say I am an emotional person.”

Since going on air recently, Diamond FM has become a darling of many listeners in Manicaland and has brought alternative voices to the province.