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Sophia Chese-Msowa : Cool Lifestyle Correspondent
Having started recording Mbira music at a tender age of 12, Mabelreign Girls High Form Three pupil Tendai Mavengeni seems determined to conquer the music world at all cost. Born and bred in Sunningdale, Harare, Mavengeni – a spirited mbira player-cum-songwriter – has done so much at her age. She launched her debut traditional Afro Jazz album “Destiny” in 2014 and since then the talented young girl has never looked back.“From the day that I shared the stage with talented Afro Jazz musician Prince Musarurwa at the launch of my first album ‘Destiny’, I never looked back,
“I have grown to be my own artiste since that day. Sharing the stage with Prince gave me so much confidence that I believe that I can make it in the music industry come what may. I believe I have what it takes to make it and I’m optimistic I will definitely get there,” she said.
Backed by her eight-member ensemble named “All Ages”, the youthful singer proved her lyrical prowess in this album which introduced her to the music industry in a big way.
The 14-year-old musician who recently performed at the Culture Week Harare Launch at the Longcheng Plaza where she left the people clamouring for more is currently in the studio working on her second seven-track album titled “Tendai”.
The album is set for release in October and it features veteran jazz crooner Victor Kunonga.
Being talented as she is, Tendai said the title to her album means a lot to her.
“Tendai is a Shona word that is also my name and on this particular album, I am thanking my parents for raising me to be what I am today and their continued support for my musical career,.
“On the second meaning, it is dedicated to the Almighty for creating and blessing me with this amazing talent,” she said.
Tendai thanked her music teacher at Malbereign Girls High School whom she described as a patient and hard working man saying she feels she owes him a lot.
“We have music lessons at school and my music teacher Mr Mhlanga is the one who has been teaching me how to play mbira as well as how to sing.
“He is so dedicated to teaching me all the skills in music especially traditional music which I have passion for,” she said.
Meanwhile, Tendai highlighted that she is inspired by all the Zimbabwean women who made it in an industry that is heavily congested by men.
“The likes of Chiwoniso Maraire have inspired me and it is when I think of their successes in the industry that I feel I can make it no matter the situation,
At her age she has done a lot that many musicians have been struggling to do, she hogged the limelight after she became the youngest mbira recording artiste in Zimbabwe, had regular appearances at the now closed Book Café, performed at the 2012 Protest Arts Festival, UZ World Theatre Day, Women Arts Festival, Zimpapers (Kwayedza) Poetry Awards, Zimbabwe International Book Fair, Mbira Schools Festival and the Mbare Boys’ Scouts Festival.
Today she is one of the finest young female nhare mbira players in the country who has drawn her inspiration from famous Zimbabwean women mbira players like Ambuya Stella Chiweshe, the late Chiwoniso and Claire Nyakudjara.
Judging from her performances she is destined to go far.
Online Reporter