Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]
MUSICIAN Neville Sigauke is using his latest song to encourage African women to preserve their traditions, languages and cultural values.
Titled Chimhamha Che Africa, the song, which is set for release on Friday, celebrates African women and their role in passing on cultural heritage to future generations.
It features Sigauke’s 13-year-old sister, Natalie, who opens the track with the line, “Wathinta’ bafazi, wathinti’ mbokodo” (You strike a woman, you strike a rock).
Other contributors include Kenyan singer Liboi, who provides vocals and plays the udu, UK-based poet Ijang Oree, who performs poetry, and Ivy Dutiro, who provides backing vocals. Sigauke sings the chorus and some backing vocals, while YStan also contributes vocals.
Production of the song began in 2015, with mbira player De Lukes Kays and other session musicians. Nashe Guitar plays electric guitar, Zicky Wacho, a member of Feli Nandi’s band, plays acoustic guitar, while Anita Blyth features on violin.
Sigauke said the song celebrates African women as important custodians of culture, responsible for passing down traditions, stories and values from one generation to the next.
He said the song was also a reminder that African heritage should be embraced rather than viewed as outdated.
“Culture does not survive by accident. It survives when people choose to speak their mother tongues, wear their traditional attire with pride and teach their children where they come from.
“Women are central to that effort, and the track is my way of honouring that role while encouraging them to keep our heritage alive,” he said.
