Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
IN a society where women often face numerous challenges and biases, Pamuzinda Music Band has proven to be a beacon of hope and empowerment for many young women.
For Sandra Chimanga Thiem and Babra Tandare Gundermann, two talented performers, Pamuzinda has been more than just a platform — it’s been a catalyst for change.
The duo has been with the band for the past 20 years.
They have been with Pamuzinda Music Band since they were in primary school.
The two ladies are now married in Germany.
Pamuzinda is a 12-member band, with only four ladies, and is currently on a European tour, which started a few weeks ago in Hamburg, Germany.
The tour is expected to end in August.
In an interview with Zimpapers Entertainment Hub, Sandra said the experience has been life-changing.
“We started around primary school level at Nyandoro Primary school in Highfield when the group came to teach us traditional dance for school competitions, we remember being called ‘tubhebhi’ by our leader because we were still very young.
“With Pamuzinda has been very awesome, with ups and downs, which is very normal in life, it makes us stronger together and it has been a beautiful journey of growth, accountability and respect for everyone and it is still a beautiful journey, we say kwatakabva handi pano.
“A lot of beautiful memories we have, especially those early years we had to travel to different neighbouring countries like SA, Zambia and our very first international trip to Japan in 2003, performing in front of thousands of people of different, colour, culture and environment and feeling accepted and appreciated in a foreign land more than in our own country.”
Babra said they paid their tuition fees with the money from Pamuzinda Music.
“The feeling of being accepted and appreciated as a woman in a male dominated group and the fact that we were able to actually perform and pay for our own school tuition was a really great and motivating experience, even the first time to own a bank account, it was because of Pamuzinda.
“Growth doesn’t stop, we keep growing because each day and phase brings its own challenges, what I like about us is that even if we don’t see each other for a year or so, the moment we meet, we just vibe and the kind of growth is incredible.
“As a woman it’s often said we dance to attract men but for us it never bothered us because we knew exactly what being a performer as a woman means and being mothers is also a challenge on its own, but still we always try to make it happen whenever we can, staying true to ourselves and staying together as a family with Pamuzinda helped us a lot.”
She added that those who want to follow in the same footsteps should not give up.
“I can just say never give up on yourself, don’t think small about yourself and do your very best in what you can and doing what you love is the best decision ever, even if you are married or a mother, you can still do a lot, don’t underestimate your power.
“The industry is very exposing on its own, so it takes self-respect, behaviour and character, knowing your worth and purpose as a person in the industry, is key.”
