Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
Victoria Falls-based award-winning actress and musician Qeqeshiwe “Qeqe” Mntambo is set to headline the 10th edition of the Victoria Falls International Agricultural Show, where she will be among the performers entertaining guests during the four-day event.
The agricultural and commercial exhibition will run under the theme “Growth, Innovation and Rural Industrialisation”, combining business, agriculture, food and cultural entertainment.
Qeqe will perform twice at Chinotimba Stadium, opening the entertainment programme today, before returning for the grand finale on Sunday.
The Imali hit-maker said she was excited to return to the stage and reconnect with her audience.
“I haven’t been active that much in the arts scene for a year or so. Returning to the spotlight with two performances at the Victoria Falls International Agricultural Show brings revival and renewal in me, as I look forward to reconnecting with the audience once more. In October, I will also perform at the Multi-Cultural Food Festival, another major gig I am looking forward to,” said Qeqe.
The performances come as the versatile artiste embarks on a new chapter in her music career, marked by a rebrand, live showcases and the planned release of her debut extended play (EP).
Speaking on her decision to rebrand, Qeqe said the move was driven by her determination to establish herself more firmly in the music industry.
“I have said for years that I want to rebrand. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I have had to do everything on my own. It has not been easy. There were times I doubted myself but I never stopped. This rebrand is me drawing a line. It is me saying I am here, I am serious and I am pushing forward,” she said.
Qeqe said her musical evolution was also about rediscovering her artistic identity while creating opportunities for collaborations.
“For me, rebranding is about rediscovering myself as an artiste. I am exploring new yet familiar sounds, music that still feels like home but also opens doors for collaborations and partnerships.
“I want to grow, to work with other creatives and to take Zimbabwean music to bigger spaces,” she said.
She said relocating to Victoria Falls had played a key role in boosting her confidence, with the resort city providing a supportive environment for her creative work.
Qeqe previously featured in the cultural production Simunye: The Spirit of Africa and said her connection with audiences in the resort city had encouraged her to push her music further.
“Since relocating to Victoria Falls, I have felt a shift. The love and recognition I have received here has given me confidence. People are listening, people are watching and I think it is time to make real moves and put myself out there fully,” she said.
Qeqe said her upcoming live performances would give audiences an opportunity to hear her new material before its official release.
“Apart from the festival appearances, I have shows lined up over the coming months where I will be testing this new sound live with my audience. It is important for me to connect directly and see how the music lands,” she said.
She said she was also working on her debut EP, describing it as a project she had been carrying for years.
“I am also working on something I have never done before, my first EP. It is a project that has been in my heart for years. Releasing it feels like the next natural step in this new chapter,” she said.
Qeqe is a two-time National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) winner and is known for her roles in productions such as Stitsha, Suku and Soulmate.
She has also been refining her musical identity through a fusion of Afro-Soul, Afro-House and traditional Zimbabwean rhythms.
