adminMbongeni Msimanga Sunday Leisure Correspondent
INTWASA Arts Festival KoBulawayo will explode into life in the city tomorrow with a jamboree of arts activities lined up to showcase the cultural diversity that not only Bulawayo exudes, but the country as a whole. No doubt the show is expected to live up to its billing and satisfy the entertainment starved Bulawayo populace. The acoustic night has alwaysbeen a significance feature on the Intwasa calendar and this year, the night will feature performances from Fungai Nengare, Tariro Ruzvidzo affectionately known as Tariro neGitare, Tendai “Tendex” Madzviti, Prayersoul and Munyaradzi Nyamarebvu.
But it is Tariro neGitare who is one to look forward to. She is a guitarist, singer and songwriter based in Harare. Her music has a strong Afro-soul feel and exudes evident influences from artistes like Oliver Mtukudzi, Sara Tavares and Tracy Chapman among others.
Tariro has shared the stage with Zimbabwean artistes such as Mtukudzi, Stella Chiweshe, Jah Prayzah, Victor Kunonga, and has even warmed up the stage for South African accapella music outfit Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the Spring Strings Festival. She has also collaborated with German bands Favo and Jamaram, when she toured Germany in 2013 with the latter. Sunday Leisure Correspondent Mbongeni Msimanga (MM) took time to talk to Tariro “Ruzvidzo” NeGitare (TR) and below are excerpts of the interview.
MM: It’s a pleasure you are coming to Intwasa Arts Festival KoBulawayo once again. Why did you call your brand Tariro neGitare and what is the significance behind this name?
TR: Tariro neGitare explains the brand fully: it’s me and the guitar. One cannot exist without the other and that is what people have always seen, so I chose to maintain that.
MM: Interesting I must say. But what really influences your music and who is your major source of inspiration?
TR: Everything around me influences what I sing about. The gift is from God so ultimately He is the source of inspiration and creates situations around me that allow me to express myself through song.
MM: Great indeed. And what is your feeling and view of Intwasa Arts Festival KoBulawayo this time? Have you also identified any talent from Bulawayo that you are likely to work with or probably working with at the moment?
TR: Intwasa is an amazing festival and it is always exciting to be a part of it. It also provides an opportunity for me to share my music with a different audience and I also learn from other artistes in Bulawayo as they have a rich arts and culture scene. I have met a number of artistes from my last visit and I hope to be collaborating soon.
MM: From your view, do you think enough is being done to uplift women in the arts industry in Zimbabwe?
TR: Done by whom? It is up to us as the female artistes to claim the spaces that we want. We cannot expect anyone to do it for us.
MM: I understand you attended a good high school and university too but you ended up in the arts that were traditionally viewed as reserved for those who were academically lame and not paying in the current economy. Why is that so? and would you not you have made it in another field?
TR: Yes I attended St Johns High School, and then did a diploma with IPMZ and my Honours degree in Sociology and Gender Studies. I am currently studying for a Masters Degree in Development Studies and have had my fair share in the corporate sector. Every career needs one to be educated and skilled for it to flourish; I don’t think that changes because I am an artiste. I think the view that the arts fraternity is a “poor industry” is relative.
I have experienced that when done right; it is a very economically viable industry and has the potential to change peoples’ lives in all aspects. Artistes have influence and unless one realises the benefits of being influential, then they will not realise their true purpose and thus remain in the so called “poor industry” category.
MM: Interesting views I must say. Who would you say is the best artiste that you have shared the stage with?
TR: It has to be the German band Jamaram.
MM: And who is Tariro neGitare off stage?
TR: I am a mother of one.
MM: Lastly, what should we expect from you at this year’s Intwasa festival since you are one of the main acts?
TR: I am not headlining, but featuring in one of my projects called the Acoustic Night. Artistes scheduled to perform are Prayersoul, Tendex, Munya Nyamarebvu, Prayersoul and I. We toured Germany together and are excited to come and showcase at Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo.
MM: Thank you, we are hoping to see you at the festival.
T.R: Thank you too.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter