Masekela, Chiwoniso dreams come to life

Bruce Ndlovu
After months of delays, Hugh Masekelaa��s anticipated Chiwoniso Maraire commemorative album is finally set to see the light of day, with a release date slated for sometime this month.

For over a year-and-a half, Masekela has alternated between Zimbabwe and South Africa as he worked on various projects including an album with fellow African music heavyweight Oliver Mtukudzi.

Chief among his Zimbabwean concerns has been Shai Shai, a project Masekela worked on alongside Victor Kunonga, initially supposed to be done with Chiwoniso as part of efforts to remember her father, Dumisani Marairea��s contributions to music. However, after she passed away the project was finished with four other soulful Zimbabwean women.

It now remains to be seen whether the quartet of Prudence Katomeni Mbofana, Benita Tarupiwa, Joyce Warikwanda and Rumbidzai Tavaziva can match the power of Chiwonisoa��s iconic voice.

Speaking to B-Metro this week, Kunonga said that it was all systems go for the album release this month.

a�?I can confirm that the album is ready for release. September is the month when all that hard work will come to fruition,a�? he said.

Confirming September as the release month of the album, Walter Wanyanya of Ngoma Nehosho said that all that was left was to decide on a launch date and venue that was suitable for Masekela.

a�?The album is definitely coming out in September. Since it is a collaborative project we have to arrive at a date that works for all parties involved in the project,a�? he said.

Wanyanya said that they were still sticking to the idea of making it a double release, as Masekela was also intent on releasing his own album this month.

a�?The issue is that Bra Hugh is also releasing his album so he wants this project to launch hand in hand with his own album so thata��s something that we have to factor in,a�? he said.

Wanyanya also added that they had not abandoned the double pronged strategy of launching the album in both Zimbabwe and South Africa.

a�?Bra Hugh has invested a lot of time in this album and wants it to get equal exposure in both countries,a�? he said.