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Senior Arts Reporter
Gifted vocalist and afro-fusion musician Feli Nandi has pledged to nurture disadvantaged rural talent as a way to promote musical excellence in Zimbabwe.
The soulful singer who has worked with some respected musicians among them Mbeu of Mhodzi Tribe and Jah Prayzah said Zimbabwe is blessed with musical talent and she felt duty bound to identify and nurture it.
“I wasn’t born a star. I lost my parents at a young age and though I was born with talent it wasn’t easy for me to be out there.
“It only took someone’s benevolence to recognise my musical talent and before I knew it I had gone mainstream. I therefore feel indebted to play my part in empowering others,” she said.
Feli who collaborated with Trevor Dongo on the ballad “Mufudzi Wemombe” made the pledge after a visit to Chongogwe High School in Chivi last week.
“I was in Chivi rural last week where I partnered a local company for some charity donations. I also had a chance to perform there.
“While following proceedings at the donations handover, I was really moved by the singing by the students hence the pledge to work on a music project with them, complete with a video,” she said.
Feli Nandi who was one of the key performers at the just ended Shoko Festival said she is alive to possibilities and can’t wait to see the Chivi rural music project become a success.
“I am a forward thinking musician and having experienced the possibilities in this music industry, I want to inspire and empower the young talent in Chivi.
It’s almost unimaginable for someone in such outlying areas to dream of becoming a musician and getting played on national radio but we are going to do our best to support them,” Feli Nandi said.
Feli Nandi is a rising entrepreneur and accomplished fashionista who owns a fashion label and shop in Harare.
Of late, the affable songstress has taken to acting and is appearing in some adverts as well as an exciting production titled “Bamunini Nijo” on online content creator Nashtv.
“I want to explore all my capabilities and I am not stopping at anything. I have also taken to acting and I am having cameo roles in advertising.
My life should be an inspiration and I hope my musical interaction with students at Chongogwe High School will amount to something. My hope is to nationalise this initiative if resources permit,” she said.
Online Reporter