Dudu Manhenga re-emerges with new music, renewed purpose

AFTER a two-year hiatus, Bulawayo-born Afro-jazz singer, Duduzile “Dudu” Manhenga is set to make a return tomorrow at the Zimbabwe-German Society in Milton Park, Harare.

This much-anticipated concert marks not just a comeback, but a celebration of her evolution as an artiste, a mother and a community leader. Manhenga told Chronicle Showbiz that her path back to the stage has been one of introspection and growth.

“We’ve been having a couple of performances here and there at festivals and private events; however, we had not yet felt ready to begin our own concerts,” she explained.

“There’s just a sense of readiness that I feel now. I believe I’ve gone through a season of healing and reinvention, and I’d like to take this new version of myself back to the world and share who I’ve become.”

This concert is not merely an event; it is a personal and artistic milestone for her. “On a personal level, I’m excited to re-engage with the audience. Artistically, I’m excited to share the new music and also to go down memory lane with the songs that people enjoy and that I love!”

She said fans can look forward to a rich and varied set list, featuring “something new” from her upcoming album and also “something old” that reflects her past hits and “something borrowed”, which pays homage to beloved African jazz classics.

Manhenga reflected on the significance of these selections, stating, “The borrowed songs are special to me because they tailored my taste and mentored my voice. The old songs are special because they put people’s attention on the brand that is Dudu. The new songs are super special because they express where I am now and a vision of the future that I see.”

Central to Manhenga’s musical journey is her family. Her husband, Blessing Muparutsa, will join her on drums, while their children, affectionately known as “the Cubs,” will also participate.

“My family has been really central in my music career. We’ve walked this musical journey together and now, we’re excited to work with our children as they grow into performers,” she explained.

The concert will be a true family affair, with her brother Clive managing the sound and her music director, Nick Nare, who is also a family member.
“It’s a complete family affair,” she said.

As she prepares for her comeback, the Kude hit-maker admitted to having mixed feelings. “I feel like I will be starting afresh. In as much as I’ve grown and modified, I believe that my former audience has been going through their own journey. I’m looking forward to seeing who’s still with me from the past and who’s coming on board in the present,” she reflected.

One of the highlights of the evening will be her new song, “Munotidisisa”. “This song is about the love of Jesus and the hope that comes with it. It’s about how it’s never too late to turn away from our old ways and take on a new path,” she explained.

As she embarks on this new chapter, she is taking a relaxed approach to her performance. “I am not putting myself under any pressure; it’s not about the fame anymore. I’m ready to see who’s ready to receive.”

She hopes that her audience will leave the concert with a sense of hope and motivation. “I want them to take away part of the joy that I have.” She described her life as beautiful, despite its challenges, attributing this to the hope her faith brings.

Looking back on her extensive career, she recalled some of her most memorable performances, including a production with children from Masiyephambili Primary School and a pivotal concert at the Red Fox Hotel in Harare where only one audience member attended but was so engaged that it opened many doors in the corporate world.

Manhenga sees the evolution of Afro-jazz as a positive development, particularly with the rise of female artistes in the genre. “It’s exciting to see young people taking up space in Afro-jazz,” she noted.

“I believe there are still some old crooners who want to hear the classics, and that’s my space.” Beyond music, Manhenga has immersed herself in ministry and social entrepreneurship. She has served as a pastor since 2013, and in 2018, she took the initiative to begin planting churches in her community.
“Since then, we’ve planted five churches,” she shared proudly.

On the social front, she runs a school for children who missed out on formal education and has established a centre to support vulnerable youth.

“We believe that children deserve a fair chance at life,” she emphasised.

She said these experiences deeply inform her music.

“I love to inspire people and to move them from one place to another in their minds and hearts. This is just an extension of who I am day in and day out,” she said. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu