Trust Khosa
SONGBIRD Raven Duchess is back in Zimbabwe after a successful two-week tour of Kenya where she held a series of shows and conducted radio and television interviews.
On her return, the musician said she was impressed by the hospitality she received in East Africa.
She collaborated with Kenyan rapper and spoken-word artist Checkmate Mido.
The pair first met in South Africa and their reunion in Nairobi has since blossomed into a creative collaboration.
Reflecting on the tour, the songbird could not hide her elation.
“My tour in Kenya was a successful cultural exchange, but also a test of resilience,” she told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub.
“I feel honoured by all my performances and media commitments, including radio and TV.
“The biggest lesson was the importance of self-reliance and advance planning.
“I learned to always manage my own logistics and that professionalism must come first, no matter what.”
Despite the Ebola alert in Kenya, Raven remained committed to her work throughout the tour, earning herself new fans.
“I was very intentional about networking. Despite an Ebola alert at the time, which meant avoiding overly crowded places, I made sure to connect with fellow creatives.
“I met Ben Ward, a producer from England; Taylor Higgs, a multi-instrumentalist also from England and Kenyan artist Charles Odero Ademson, known as Makadem.
“We immediately started recording a collaborative track fusing the Kenyan nyatiti with the Zimbabwean mbira — a song we will release soon.
“I also brought a mbira from Zimbabwe as a cultural gift and brought back a Kenyan percussion instrument for my creative work and teaching.”
She encouraged local musicians to value their traditional instruments, such as the mbira and marimba, whose international appeal continues to grow.
“Zimbabwean music, especially mbira music, is deeply respected in East Africa. People are very curious about it.
“They recognise it as spiritual and ancient, yet fresh.
“When I played, the audience connected instantly, even if they didn’t know the language.
“There is a huge appetite for our sound, and I believe there is space for more cultural exchange between Southern and East Africa,” she said.
With the festive season fast approaching, Raven has assured her fans that more is in store.
“The festive season is about creation and sharing. I will be finalising and releasing the Kenya collaboration track with Makadem, Ben and Taylor — the Nyatiti and mbira fusion.
“I also plan to have some homecoming performances in Zimbabwe and spend time in the studio working on new material that carries the lessons and instruments from Kenya.”
Reflecting on an eventful 2026, Raven hailed the various stakeholders who helped make the year a success.
“I successfully completed the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture-sponsored tour in Kenya, delivered all performances solo when needed, expanded my international network with artists and producers from Kenya and the UK, initiated a cross-cultural single that fuses two traditional instruments, and strengthened Zimbabwe-Kenya cultural ties through instrument exchange.
“I did all this while maintaining professionalism.”
Raven also offered an assessment of the appeal of her brand both locally and internationally. “In Zimbabwe, my brand is seen as rooted — people know me as a mental health advocate who fuses jazz, mbira music and tradition with a modern voice. Outside Zimbabwe, as in Kenya, the appeal is more about discovery and exotic authenticity.
“They see the mbira as something unique and powerful from Zimbabwe. So, at home I am family; abroad, I am an ambassador. Both are beautiful, but the responsibility is different.”
