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Mbuya Stella Chiweshe

Sophia Chese-Msowa : Arts Correspondent

“There is going to be double celebrations as we will be commemorating her 70th birthday on the same day.” Internationally acclaimed mbira queen Ambuya Stella Chiweshe is set to celebrate her 50 years in the music industry as well as her birthday on June 18 at Tanza Centre in Chitungwiza. The now Germany based mbira queen will also celebrate her 70th birthday on the day.In an interview, Mbuya Stella Chiweshe’s local publicist Mathias Kufandirimbwa says Mbuya Chiweshe have seen it fit to celebrate her milestone in the music industry and also celebrate her birthday in her homeland.

“We are happy to say that we will be celebrating a milestone of one of the musicians who have done exceptionally well in maintaining the country’s culture through music Mbuya Stella Chiweshe in Chitungwiza next month,

“There is going to be double celebrations as we will be commemorating her 70th birthday on the same day,” he said.

Kufandirimbwa highlighted that Mbuya Chiweshe first recorded her first song in 1966 and has clocked 50 years in the music industry.

“She started recording her first mbira music in 1966 and this year marks 50 years of her in the music industry, “he said.

Kufandrimbwa said Mbuya Chiweshe is expected in the country in two weeks time.

Born on July 8 1946 in Mujumi Village, Mhondoro, Mbuya Chiweshe is internationally known for her singing and playing of the Mbira Dzavadzimu, a traditional instrument of the Shona people. She is one of the few female players of the instrument, which she learned to play from 1966 to 1969 when even fewer females played the instrument.

Chiweshe has performed numerous times in Germany and has also participated in the WOMAD Festival 1994 in the US, 1995 in Australia and 2006 in Spain. In 2004 she toured England with her daughter performing the traditional mbira music.

She has more than 10 albums to her name including “Ambuya”, Shungu”, Kumusha”, “Healing Tree” among others.