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Peter Churu Own Correspondent
There is a beautiful phenomenon happening in Harare’s urban pop culture.
Last Friday, the Alliance Francaise Harare was packed to the rafters with beautiful young people, well-scrubbed and smelling exquisitely expensive.
The theme was love and the auditorium was truly overflowing with it. Everyone smiled and was warm to each other.
Fronted and curated by the beautiful and vivacious Tatenda Chioniso Rushwaya who is the creative director for the mbira extravaganza, the night was ably compèred by Rumbidzai Chikanza, also known as Bouncy Rue, who spiced the evening with classy humour that warmed the heart and was not at all overbearing and competing with the talent.
Since December 2020, the mbira was placed on the UNESCO list of intangible heritage in accordance with the 2003 Convention on the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This is a big deal. Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Kirsty Coventry said, “We continue to value the crafting and playing of Mbira as well as enjoying the beautiful music that Mbira provides. Music through instruments such as mbira unites communities, creates peace, spiritual well-being and reminds us of our strong history and heritage as story tellers.”
Tatenda Chioniso Rushwaya and her friends created Mbira Urban which is “a social enterprise dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Zimbabwean mbira music.
“Introducing mbira to young people ensures its legacy and evolution as an instrument with a promising future,” said Rushwaya
That is how the night became a celebration of love through the mbira ensemble of Mazwi Band, Tendex, Nasibo and Tafadzwa Matiure.
Mazwi Band among other hits performed the traditional, “Yave Nyama Yekugocha.”
The song captured the whole audience and soon became an anti-gender based violence song with the lead singer chanting, “Chino gochwa inyama kwete mudiwa wako!”
Then Tendex had the audience drooling and enraptured as he exuded glowing charisma with his powerful singing voice illuminated by his mbira, hosho and an amazing contraption called the loop station.
Magic was produced and the ladies especially bawled over.
He is a talent.
Then came Nasibo who to me is the heir apparent to the great Mbuya Stella Chiweshe and I say this without and deprecation of the amazing talent that was Mbuya Stella Chiweshe. When Nasibo sings, the small hairs do stand.
She is able to command her voice to do things that mesmerize. Opening with Zaruwe, you can believe that like the eagle, she is spreading her wings with purpose.
Keep your eye on her.
Her fourth and final song was her Tinokumbirawo which is her version of the enigmatic Tovera.
The house stood in ovation.
The final act was Taffie Matiure who was ably supported by the amazingly talented and beautiful Tina Watyoka and her saxophone. Taffie has amazing charisma.
Rather a cross between Biggie Tembo, Thomas Mapfumo and Ephat Mujuru.
He took the audience on a musical journey. By the end of the show, the audience was gagging for more.
As a spectacle and an exhibition, Mbira Valentine was a splendid offering by Mbira Urban.
The audience asked if the show could be held every other month. Tatenda promised that there will be workshops, performances and possibly festivals in the offering.
Online Reporter