Selmora��s Lemonade moment

The recent release of American music superstar Beyoncea��s new album, Lemonade, has again sparked the question of how popular music can be used to reflect and aid in womena��s struggle for empowerment and self determination.

Touching on themes of that range from the struggle for women emancipation to her husband, Jay Za��s alleged infidelity in their high profile marriage, the album has been hailed as essential listening for women going through personal, social and political strife.

Thousands of miles away in another continent and country with a totally different set of social ideals, another artiste is plotting her a�?Lemonade momenta�?.

Nama award winning songstress Selmor Mtukudzi has over the past few years been intimately involved in efforts to improve the standing and conditions of women in Zimbabwean society.

From a clothing line whose proceeds went to disadvantaged girls across the country to a high powered collaboration with some of the continenta��s biggest artistes in the hit womena��s empowerment anthem Strong Girl, Selmor has placed herself as a strong advocate for womena��s rights.

The songbird is now looking to translate her actions into words, with her new album titled I Am Woman leaning towards topics that bring to the fore some of the issues that are sometimes ignored as stars look for chart topping hits that provide an easy listen. The album will be launched in the capital at La Rouge on Saturday night.

a�?I cana��t run away from the fact that I am woman. At the end it is who I am and what defines me. This is what inspired most of the album and it is about me embracing my womanhood and and other womena��s struggle in this world,a�? she said.

Selmor is set to launch the album alongside husband Tendai Manatsa, a quiet reminder that the union of the two is still going strong. Selmor believes that because she is someone who stands for the rights of women, some might mistakenly believe that she is against men or shouldna��t be happily married to one.

a�?A lot of people believe that if you are for womena��s emancipation you are against men. Ita��s an accusation that many feminists from musicians like Beyonce to female politicians have faceda�?.

a�?Ita��s just a bad misinterpretation because all we are advocating are equal rights and the same opportunities for women,a�? she said.

The Afro jazz sensation added that despite the themes she touched on the album, which also features a gospel duet with Mathias Mhere, her husband had been supportive throughout her women empowerment campaign.

a�?He has never stood in my way and understands the issues that I am raising. After all, he also has a daughter that he would like to see grow up in a just society that prioritises the life and opportunities of both the girl and the boy child,a�? she said.

Other artistes that feature on the album include internationally acclaimed dancehall chanter Buffalo Souljah, on a love song titled Sorry Baby.