Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
IN a dazzling blend of ancestral homage and contemporary jazz brilliance, Zimbabwean Afro-Jazz musician, Rutendo Jackie has released her latest masterpiece, “Pangu Padare,” featuring the emotive vocals of Dealon Muchaka, known as Mhofu.
The song — now paired with a lush, cinematic music video — is a soulful celebration of heritage, healing and spiritual connection.
Jackie, this time drifted away from her usual setting or locations for videos especially in the Eastern Highlands and decided to shoot the captivating video in Domboshava.
“Pangu Padare” translates to “at the homestead”, a place where families gather, stories are shared and traditions are passed down like sacred heirlooms.
Through music and visuals, she builds a sonic and visual courtyard where the old meets the new, where voices of the past echo through rhythms of the present.
From the first note, “Pangu Padare” hums with authenticity. Jackie’s velvet vocals wrap around Dealon Muchaka’s deep, grounding tones, creating a musical conversation that feels both timeless and fresh.
The arrangement is rich with Afro-Jazz textures — gently swaying guitar riffs, organic percussion and elegant horn melodies that rise like smoke from a family fire.
The accompanying video is equally mesmerising.
Set in a warm, rural setting of Ngomakurira, Domboshava, it paints an affectionate portrait of Zimbabwean life, rituals, dance, unity and introspection.
With sweeping cinematography and earthy tones, the visuals invite viewers to sit at the metaphorical “dare,” where generational wisdom flows and identity finds its voice.
“This song is my offering to the ancestors and to future generations alike. I also believe the setting is ideal. I wanted to remind us of who we are. Our beauty, our culture and how music can bring us back home. The song is about sacred spaces — within and around us — where we are safe to remember, to heal and to grow.
“I am overwhelmed with the response the video has been receiving as well as the comments from viewers. On the first day of its release, we managed to have 400 viewers on YouTube. As Afro-Jazz continues to evolve, I believe I am, not just expressing myself as a singer but as a cultural storyteller,” said Jackie, who hails from Mutare, but currently based in Harare where she is pursuing other business.
Following acclaimed earlier releases like “Love Me As I Am” and collaborations with producers such as Mr Brown and Victor Stot, Jackie believes that the latest dropping deepens her legacy and cements her role as one of Zimbabwe’s most visionary voices.
The versatile singer continues to play a critical role in marketing the picturesque and Zimbabwe’s tourism hub — the Eastern Highlands — through her captivating videos that unpack its tourism assets.
The fusion of her love for nature, flora and fauna with her captivating videos, not only enhances her artistic expression but also brings an emotional depth to her performances.
Jackie is not new in releasing fresh and captivating videos.
She, on Christmas Day last year, released “Jakwerina”.
The video which was shot at various locations such as Murahwa Hill, also known as Hill of the Rock Rabbit, Christmas Pass as well as Vumba curves and thickets captured hearts of many especially blogger and YouTubers thanks to its magnificent and striking visuals.
Murahwa Hill holds significant cultural significance and it is one of the country’s national monuments.
The hill consists of archaeological property, flora and fauna, cave and rock shelter formations.
Pottery, a gold smelting crucible, spindle whorls, glass beads and soapstone pipes were recovered from there and are now an important part of the National Museums and Monuments collection.
The nature reserve has naturally occurring fauna and flora species.
She has also released another scorcher, “Nhamo” which was shot in scenic areas in the majestic Vumba, the picturesque Aberfoyle in Honde Valley and Nyanga.
The majestic views of tea estates as well as the meandering roads and towering mountains of Honde Valley and Vumba made the view a darling of many, particularly on her YouTube channel.
The video was premièred on Trace Africa Television channel.
Her accolades and recognition, such as the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Women in Arts and Culture Award and the Manicaland Creatives Awards Best Female Artiste Award, speak to her immense talent and contribution to the music and arts scene.
