malvernmugadzikwa
Dennis Chimanzi
LOCATED on the outskirts of Harare’s Central Business District, Treehouse Bar and Grill was the venue for the belated birthday celebrations for songstress and former Mafriq member Pauline Gundidza.
Gundidza’s birthday celebrations coincided with the trial run for the “BhodhoSundayz” promotion.
The brainchild of businessman Albert Makoni, the concept, which encourages the uptake of traditional foods, is popular in South Africa.
Makoni, who was based in SA, wants to introduce this idea in the country of his birth.
The day, however, belonged to Gundidza.
The Sunday Mail Society recently sat down with the urban grooves artiste, who opened up about ageing with grace, her return to the limelight, a possible Mafriq reunion and her new project on substance abuse.
While it is viewed as taboo to ask a lady about her age, she apparently had no qualms with it.
“I feel wonderful. It is a mixed feeling as I am 38 years old now, but I feel very young,” said Gundidza, who was born on July 8, 1985.
“In terms of my energy, I do not see myself any different from the time I started this whole music thing. I think I am more fired up now than I was back then. There is also that side of me that takes account of all the years I have been in the industry.
“That experience, I think, gives me all the maturity that I have now,” she said.
Urban grooves revival
This was one of the many recent epiphanies to hit her in recent months.
The other, which is more significant, occurred at an urban grooves concert that was held in Avondale last month.
There, Gundidza reconnected with some of her old friends and colleagues from the urban grooves era to catch up.
In the line-up of that concert were the likes of Roki, Decibel, Plaxedes Wenyika, Tererai, Xtra Large, ExQ, Maskiri, Stunner, Nasty Tricks, Diana, Willom Tight and Shinsoman.
“The urban grooves show was just something else,” she said.
“I remember backstage, there were just us (the old crew), and here I was with these people I had not seen for quite some time,” she recalled.
Gundidza believes the artistes themselves probably had more fun backstage than the audience, and it appears this feeling was shared by most of her contemporaries.
Rise, fall and resurrection
of Mafriq
It is, however, difficult to talk about Gundidza and urban grooves without dedicating a chapter or two to Mafriq.
The group was made up of three members — Tungamirai “Tunga T” Tavi, Lovedale “Discord” Makalanga and Gundidza. It introduced a new contemporary sound in the genre, and rose to fame with hits such as “Ndizvo Chete” and “Chizevezeve”.
What many may not have known, but probably suspected, is that Rockford “Roki” Josphat, was the fourth and ghost member.
The talented and all-rounded musician, Roki, is credited for his role in the formation and success of the group.
The resuscitation of Mafriq is one of many projects the songstress is currently working on. Others include her solo music aspirations and working with Chipo Muchegwa.
As Mafriq, the group now has a weekly slot at a local entertainment joint and is working on new songs that are due for release.
The trio is also planning to hold more gigs around the country and across borders.
Reports are that Mafriq will also feature on ExQ’s forthcoming album.
Gundidza revealed that her music will tackle issues to do with drug and substance abuse, and female empowerment.
She is part of an empowerment project by POVOAfrika, dubbed “Musicable Project”, which is aimed at helping musicians living with disabilities record and market their music.
Under the project, jazz artiste Raven Duchess and Gundidza will mentor Jacqueline Mpofu and Muchegwa.
“The aim of this project is to empower women in our field and try to raise awareness of some of the struggles and challenges they face,” she said.
Online Reporter