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Langalakhe Mabena
Fresh from performing with a 19 piece-all-male band at the Re-defined concert in Harare – the woman of the moment in the Zimbabwe music scene, Feli Nandi, is set to announce her arrival on the international stages as she is set to perform at Odonien in Köln, Germany on 20 July.
The “Muti Watemwa”song-bird owes her German appearance to seasoned arts “amplifier” Plot Mhako who invited her to be the headlining act at the Moto-Moto Festival. The Festival is a collaborative effort between Mhako and Germany promoter Victor Schach, who has Zimbabwean roots.
Moto-Moto Festival targets the European market with the goal of pushing African music to the global space. It focuses on getting an internationally diverse audience to come and enjoy what Zimbabwe has to offer in terms of music and artistry.
Plot Mhako said they created the festival as a way of exporting “rich” Zimbabwean music to Europe, at the same time creating a market and an ecosystem that will create new global stars, from Zimbabwe to the world.
He said as they are set to launch the event as an annually held festival, they saw it fit to announce Feli Nandi as the headlining act because of her work ethic and standard of performance on stage.
“Over the past two years, I embarked on a mission to establish a festival in Europe that celebrates traditional Zimbabwean music and creative culture. This led to my partnership with Victor Schach and we have created the Moto Moto Festival.
“Zimbabwe’s fast rising Afro-fusion artiste Feli Nandi and a live band will headline the event, supported by a German band and a DJ. The family-friendly festival will feature a variety of activities, including an exhibition and sale of Zimbabwean art and stone sculptures by the Shona Art Gallery, Marimba and Mbira workshops for kids, traditional Zimbabwean food and apparel from Feli Nandi.
“Our goal is to grow this annual festival into a must-attend event for anyone in Europe wanting to experience authentic Zimbabwean culture. The name “Moto Moto,” which means “Fire Fire,” symbolises the creative flames from Zimbabwe. It speaks of the resilience and burning desire of the Zimbabwean people to lift the flag high,” said Mhako.
The festival promises to create more international exports from Zimbabwe, as Mhako said the main vision behind the festivities is to create the new age gems of globe-trotting creatives.
“This festival was created on solid foundations of my passion, strengths, networks and a deeply running desire to see Zimbabwean creative art and music being on the international stages.
“This imagination came from taking admiration from what the likes of the late Oliver Mtukudzi, Chiwoniso, Bhundu Boys, Thomas Mapfumo, Black Umfolosi and the later generation of Mokoomba and Nobuntu have done to export Zimbabwean music.
“I strongly believe there is space to give other creatives a chance to tour and showcase to the world what we can offer in the world-arts industry as a country. I believe we have what it takes – we just need to be deliberate and put in maximum collaborative efforts to make it happen,” said Mhako.
Online Reporter