Savannah Afros to dazzle at Hifa

visiting and Zimbabwean artistes performing there.
This is all part of Hifa’s intention to foster cross-pollination of strong and novel artistic ideas. One group that will feature on the Coca-Cola Stage this year is Savannah Afros, a local Zimbo-groove group, working passionately to recreate the quickly fading African traditional rhythm by fusing it with diverse cultural sounds from in and around Zimbabwe.
Founded in 2009, this group has taken the local music scene by storm, performing at several local jazz joints, and are already well known.
They represented Zimbabwe at the Music Crossroads Inter-Regional Festival in Mozambique as well as scooping the top spot at Bocapa Exposure and the Young Africa Arts Festival.
The group comprises six talented musicians who share a passion for reviving traditional Zimbabwean music.
These are Ernest Nyamuteya, Rutendo Machiridza, who both attained the National Certificate in Music from the Zimbabwe College of Music in 2011, Nyasha J. K. Chirai, Takunda Chiwaze, Arthur L. Timbe and Tapuwanashe Munyayi.
Between them, they play a variety of traditional Zimbabwean instruments such as ngororombe, chigufe, mbira, marimba, hosho and hwamanda, fusing these with djembe drums, a Western drum set, congas, keyboards, lead guitar and bass.
To further their movement in revitalising traditional African instruments, Savannah Afros is involved in  charity organisations Shungu Dzevana and IMBA Children’s Home, through which they teach under-privileged children how to play traditional instruments.
They hope to revive traditional instruments and pass these precious skills on to future generations.
Their mission is to shed positive light on African music by entertaining, educating and empowering Africans to embrace our heritage, culture, traditions and beliefs, and impart a message of hope and encouragement.
Hifa will also see cross-pollination and collaboration in other genres with, for instance classical musicians also performing cross over sets on the Lay’s Gloab stage after  performing in the NMB Bank Recital Room.