Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
MUSICIAN Tariro NeGitare has once again shown the power of music to bring people together, winning over audiences in Munich, Germany, during celebrations marking 30 years of the twin-city partnership between Harare and Munich.
The Afro-soul singer was one of the highlights of the Zamanand Festival on June 21, where she joined long-time collaborators, German reggae band Jamaram, for the live premiere of Same Sun — the official anthem commemorating the three-decade relationship between the two cities.
More than just a performance, the event celebrated a partnership that has connected people from Zimbabwe and Germany through culture, education and community exchanges for 30 years. For Tariro, it was also a deeply personal moment that brought back memories of a journey that began more than a decade ago and has grown into a lasting international friendship.
Released on streaming platforms on June 19, Same Sun made its world debut before an enthusiastic festival crowd in Bavaria two days later. The song captures the spirit of friendship, solidarity and mutual respect that has defined the Harare-Munich partnership since its inception.
According to Sada Lehnigk from the City of Munich’s Marketing and Communications Department, Tariro’s participation perfectly reflected the purpose of the partnership.
“Tariro’s visit to Munich was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our 30th anniversary celebrations of the Munich-Harare city partnership. What makes her story so special is that it perfectly reflects what this partnership is all about: bringing people together, creating lasting friendships and inspiring collaborations across continents. The artistic collaboration between Tariro and Jamaram is a wonderful example of how connections created through international exchange can grow into something meaningful and inspiring for many others,” said Lehnigk.
During her visit, Tariro took part in discussions on cultural exchange, community building and the role artists can play in strengthening international relationships.
Lehnigk said those conversations highlighted the importance of creativity in bringing people from different backgrounds together.
“The response from Munich audiences was overwhelmingly positive. Many people were deeply moved by Tariro’s voice, her lyrics and her stage presence. Her performance at the Zamanand Festival, together with Jamaram, was one of the most memorable moments of the anniversary programme,” Lehnigk said.
The significance of the occasion was further underlined by the presence of Munich Mayor Dominik Krause, who opened the concert and introduced the live premiere of Same Sun.
For many in attendance, the performance represented far more than entertainment. It was a symbol of a friendship that has endured for 30 years despite the distance separating the two cities.
Local media coverage also helped introduce Tariro and her music to wider audiences across Bavaria.
“For us, this was more than a concert. It was a visible demonstration of what 30 years of partnership between Munich and Harare can achieve through culture, dialogue and personal connections,” Lehnigk said.
Behind the performance was a story that stretches back to 2012 when Jamaram travelled to Zimbabwe through a cultural exchange programme involving HIFA, the Zimbabwe German Society (Goethe-Zentrum Harare), the City of Munich and Acoustic Nights.
It was during that visit that the band met a young Tariro NeGitare.
What started as a chance encounter quickly developed into a creative partnership built on shared values and a love for music. Not long afterwards, Tariro joined other Zimbabwean musicians on a tour of Germany with Jamaram, performing before audiences across the country.
Over the years, the relationship has expanded to include recordings, artist residencies and international tours, supported in part by the Magitare Africa Trust, which has continued to create opportunities for Zimbabwean creatives while strengthening the country’s cultural ties abroad.
For Jamaram keyboardist Lionel Wharton, the Munich reunion was both exciting and emotional.
“We are deeply honoured and grateful for everything that has been going on over the last few months.
“The build-up to the show in Munich was thrilling. It was also so nice to have so many flashbacks from our time with the Acoustic Night All Stars and the entire exchange in Zimbabwe at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) and here. Reuniting with Tariro is such a pleasure. When they announced the mayor would open up the show for us it was the icing on the cake. We couldn’t have asked for a better outcome,” said Wharton.
The partnership eventually led to the creation of Same Sun, a song commissioned specifically to celebrate the Harare-Munich relationship and the values that have sustained it over three decades.
For Tariro, however, the trip was about more than music.
The singer used the opportunity to learn how Munich supports its creative sector and explore ideas that could be applied back home in Zimbabwe.
“The overall experience here has been amazing. The first time we came was just vibes, but coming back 14 years later has shown better perspective as I’ve been very intentional with the kind of people I want to meet, creating partnerships on all the work that we are doing in the creative economy,” she said.
She said one of the things that stood out was the city’s investment in creative spaces and cultural infrastructure.
“It’s also been good just to be around the City of Munich team and looking at the city from the lens of, ‘How can we reimagine Harare with what we are learning in Munich?’ I’m looking at some of the city spaces that are funded by the City of Munich. They are very intentional about making sure that there are spaces for creativity and that’s something that I’m taking away with me.”
Tariro was particularly inspired by the way Munich repurposes everyday spaces for the arts.
She recalled how one of her performances was held at a brewery docking area that had been transformed into a cultural venue.
“To me, that’s quite exciting and genius. I’m saying to myself, ‘What spaces in Harare can we reuse or reimagine for creativity as we always complain about the scarcity of venues at home?’ There are spaces that we can use,” she said.
The Zamanand Festival offered another example. Instead of using a conventional venue, organisers closed part of a street and turned it into a vibrant performance space that was open and accessible to the public.
“Now, how do we engage our City Council to allow us to be able to use some of the spaces that are there? What partnerships can we form with the City of Harare and do all these things because that would be a win-win situation for everyone?” she asked.
While Same Sun celebrates a remarkable 30-year friendship between Harare and Munich, Tariro’s visit may leave a legacy that goes beyond the music.
She returns home not only with applause and international recognition, but also with new ideas, stronger partnerships and fresh inspiration for Zimbabwe’s creative sector.
And as the song’s title suggests, the same sun shines over both Harare and Munich — a reminder that despite the distance between them, culture, friendship and creativity continue to bring the two cities closer together.
