adminBruce Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
Strong Girl, a girl child empowerment tribute track featuring Zimbabwe’s songbird, Selmor Mtukudzi and some of Africa’s biggest female artistes was released on Wednesday. The ensemble track which was recorded in South Africa last month was released together with a video which is now available on YouTube. It features South Africa’s Judith Sephuma and 14-year-old rapper Blessing as well as Kenya’s Victoria Kimani, Tanzania’s Vanessa Mdee, Gabon’s Ariell T, Mozambique’s Gabriela, Nigeria’s Waje and Yemi Alade.
The song, whose video stars Nollywood beauty Omotola, was orchestrated by blind Nigerian producer Cobhams Asuquo, the man behind hits Omawumi, Banky W and Be.
It is an initiative of ONE, an organisation founded by U2 front-man Bono, which fights poverty and preventable diseases while advocating for equality on the continent. A launch which was attended by Mtukudzi as well as ONE officials was held in Harare on Wednesday at the Book Café with plans underway to hold another launch in Bulawayo.
Mtukudzi yesterday said she was privileged to be part of the high powered list of artistes that were pushing for the emancipation of the girl child through song.
“When ONE got in touch with me, I was very excited and jumped at the opportunity without a moment’s hesitation. Working with such artistes and big names only validates my own standing as an artiste and proves that all the hard work I put in is paying off,” Mtukudzi said.
She said although it could not erase all the gender-based problems that afflict the continent, the song would go a long way towards encouraging girls to be steadfast in the pursuit of their dreams.
“As an artiste and woman in Africa, I see the struggles women around the continent go through in their day to day lives. So I believe as influential artistes, we’ve to be strong for the young girls out there,” she said.
Mtukudzi said featuring on the song had given her pleasure as she had been looked down upon on many occasions as a female performer, but had persevered.
“I’ve been knocked down and looked down upon as a female in the music industry so doing this song gives me a lot of pleasure,” she said.
Omotola echoed Mtukudzi’s sentiments saying although she had managed to accomplish her dreams as a Nollywood actress, they were many who did not have the opportunity to do the same.
“I’m fortunate to be a young woman living her dreams, a trailblazer of my generation. But I also recognise that many women and girls are not so fortunate; women and girls are disproportionately affected by the injustice of poverty and inequality,” Omotola said.
“But when we invest in women and girls, we increase and accelerate the chances of overcoming extreme poverty.”
Online Reporter