Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
TWELVE years after Chiwoniso “Sista Chi” Maraire’s passing, her enchanting voice continues to resonate with many.
Her timeless classics, including “Wandirasa,” “Ivai Nesu,” and “Tichazomuona,” serve as a testament to her extraordinary talent.
Tomorrow, a tribute show will be held in her honour at Harare’s Theatre in the Park.
Her much-anticipated duet, which she recorded alongside dub-poet Chirikure Chirikure, will also be unveiled at the event.
Titled “Chimanimani,” the album features five tracks namely “Tinobhomba,” “Chimanimani − Stolen Light,” “Kanyanisa,” “Bread and Roses,” and “Mutserendende − Sliding Game.”
The evening will be marked by song and dance, with Chiwoniso’s friends and family expected to celebrate the songbird in style.
A strong line-up, including Chirikure, Okay Machisa, Chengeto Maraire-Brown, Hope Masike, Tendex, and poet Hombarume The Giant, will perform at the event.
Event coordinator Chirikure, who has worked with the Maraire family since the ‘90s, assured fans of a memorable tribute show that will shine a light on Chiwoniso’s life.
“Old fans should expect a smooth walk down memory lane, while new fans will experience the powerful chemistry in the album and the live performances by all these artists,” said Chirikure.
“It will be a genuine celebration of Chiwoniso’s genius − a night to remember.
“We urge everyone to come in numbers and celebrate the life of Chiwoniso. She was a talented mbira player who left behind a legacy of success.”
Earlier this week, Chirikure revealed that their duet was recorded at Media For Development Studios in Harare in 2008.
He credited Tami Bimha, the sound engineer who has kept the project safe.
According to Chirikure, they wanted to release it before Chiwoniso’s death, but financial constraints derailed the project’s release.
“I tried to release the album when I returned in 2014,” Chirikure explained, “but somehow, I was just lethargic. I guess we all needed time to accept Chiwoniso’s passing.”
Chiwoniso succumbed to pneumonia in 2013, aged 37, leaving a void in the music industry.
Earlier this week, Chirikure issued a statement sharing the good moments he has had with the Maraire family.
He also heaped praise on Chiwoniso for her passion for mbira and the restoration of culture.
He revealed that it dates back to the 1990s when he used to perform alongside Mhuri YaMaraire, a family group that included Chiwoniso, her sister Tawona, and their iconic father, Dumisani Maraire.
According to Chirikure, this partnership birthed DeteMbira, a collective space for poetry and mbira music to converge, from which a rare and seamless artistic fusion was born.
Though they walked separate paths at times − Chiwoniso with her solo acclaim and Chirikure with his literary and spoken word explorations − the two artists continually circled back to one another, driven by an instinctive connection.
Chirikure praised Chiwoniso for her timeless classics, captured in her prime, which still carry powerful messages.
“Her words were relevant in 2008 and are even more relevant today. Some have developed new meanings over the years.”
As a researcher and dub poet, Chirikure believes “Chimanimani” will certainly inspire future generations.
“This piece, ‘Chimanimani,’ is not just a reflection of what was, but a gift to what will be. As younger generations discover this recording, they’re invited into a conversation that spans time−rooted in tradition but alive with relevance.
“For the younger generations, this is an opportunity to feel the past, embrace the legacy, and use that as a foundation to build the future on.”
derick.khumalo