Chiwoniso Maraire remembered Chiwoniso Maraire
Chiwoniso Maraire

Chiwoniso Maraire

Lovemore Meya Arts Correspondent—
Book Cafe in conjunction with Pamberi Trust will today join hands with Vibe Culture, the late Chiwoniso Maraire’s band, in commemoration of her life and musical brilliance in a show dubbed “Tribute to Chiwoniso Maraire”. The late mbira songstress, Chiwoniso, will become the first artist to be incorporated into the Book Café’s Hall of Fame. The posthumous award, an affirmation of Chiwoniso’s musical brilliance, is a sparkle in the musician’s career which redefined boundaries endearing itself to many souls around the world.

Chiwoniso died last year in July at the age of 37 after suffering from pneumonia.
A year after her death, the world still sings and dances to her enchanting voice and magical mbira lines.

More than five artistes are billed to perform including Prudence Katomeni Mbofana, Eve Kawadza, Mawungira eNharira, Bengt Post, Norman Masamba, and Freedom Manatsa among others.

The Tribute is going to kick off with a discussion titled “Chiwoniso Maraire: The Rebel Woman, The Flame Lily of Zimbabwean Music”.
It will be chaired by musicologist Extra-Blessings Kuchera who is the co-founder of Mbiravolution. Panellists will include music writer Professor Fred Zindi, Tsungi Zvobgo an arts manager who worked extensively with Chiwoniso, and poet Chirikure Chirikure. The discussion will focus on Chiwoniso’s impact in the lives of the people around her, her music and spirituality.

“Chiwoniso Maraire was phenomenal. She was an ambassador of Zimbabwean cultural heritage which we still enjoy to date. She lives on in all of us,” said Zindi.

If there is one thing that the mbira songstress did with utmost and excellent ability, it was musical collaborations.
“The name Chiwoniso in Shona means a light; a torch which enables us to see in the dark. Her art, her legacy is exactly that – a bright light that will never fade,” said renowned poet, Chirikure Chirikure.

Chiwoniso infused the nyunganyunga mbira instrument with a spirit at once new, refreshing and cosmopolitan, making her music reach millions across the globe. What Chiwoniso did with the nyunganyunga, a 15-key instrument, was simply magical.

Meanwhile, in a similar event Big Apple night club will tomorrow play host to Chiwoniso’s commemorations with an array of activities lined up.
To lead the entourage will be the late Chiwoniso’s band, Vibe Culture, followed by Victor Kunonga, Munya Mataruse, Willom Tight, Edith Weutonga and Nyamasvisva.

They will be backed by a pool of forthcoming Afro-pop artistes with Chiwoniso’s flare.
The club’s event coordinator, Shadreck Mabereka said there is going to be a galaxy of entertainers.

“Besides speeches we will be having time to listen to her womanhood journey from her family since she was a mother, social life side from her friends and premièring of her videos which have not been played before,” he said.

Mabereka said they are still engaging various prominent people in the arts industry in search of a revered guest on honour.
“It is the first time ever for an event of this magnitude to be held at our premises. Big Apple management is sponsoring everything for the show to be a success.

“We felt the need to honour sister Chiwoniso for her immense contribution in the showbiz industry .
“She was one of the big figures who made Zimbabwean women to be recognised the world over”, said Mabereka.

He said they would honour Chiwoniso because she taught many to uphold our cultural values through her music.
“It is going to be the moment to rekindle memories with her fans and we need to re-emphasise that her music is binding and calls for everyone to be morally upright,” he added.

Mabereka promised a show of a lifetime and called upon music lovers to rally behind their gesture.

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