Zimpapers Logo

Kelvin Chiringa
It is a quiet morning in the high density suburb of Warren Park D.

In the golden rays of the rising sun, mothers in morning gowns and wrappers sweep their yards as children prepare for school and the rest close their gates for work.

The cautioning chirrups of the bronze manikin birds dashing from one bin to the next scavenging for food seem to warn of the coming cold as this reporter makes his way past Mereki towards 103rd Street. A lot happens in this part of Harare’s locations with every weekend being a holiday picnic which attracts revellers to come and enjoy grilled meat, cold liquor and dance to every latest Zim dancehall hit.

Nevertheless, it is the search for new talent which brought us to this area and indeed in the environs of 103rd Street, a lonely mystic tune from a mbira instrument floats in the morning air.

The sound, crispy fresh and moving promptly is coming from a house where Munashe Chikuvadze (19) stays. He is a talented young musician who has stood out from among his peers by choosing to find his passion in the ancient instrument.

“I did not pass my Ordinary Level exams and it was at that time that I decided to follow my musical passion by learning the guitar first and singing in the church choir. Although at first my family did not agree with the path I had chosen, they later became supportive after realising that it was something I could not afford to just let go easily,” said Chikuvadze.

Having taken interest in music from the church interaction, Chikuvadze recorded an album with a gospel band called Praise Power, before he broke away and began penning down his own songs.

“We did one album with Praise Power but I broke away and began writing my own songs and bought my first Nyunganyunga which is a distinct mbira instrument that I learnt alone and up to now can play well more than the guitar,” said the former Nyamuziwa High School student.

Chikuvadze said mbira had a unique mystical force which connected him to his music more than any other instrument despite the stereotypes placed around it in certain religious circles.

“Playing the Mbira is an attempt to boldly define my identity to the outside world, that I am from Africa and besides that it has a special force which makes me and my music an inseparable entity.

“At first when I started, my peers would taunt me, insinuating that I was serving dark spirits but this is just an instrument like any other and listening to it has a soothing effect to the soul and sensibilities,” he said.

The artiste is now working on a six-track album dubbed “Anikonda” which is Chewa for “He loves us”. Chikuvadze said although his music speaks to young people, it also appealed to the older generation.

“I am working on an album titled ‘Anikonda’ which is a collection of matured lyrics that address social issues affecting our daily lives,’’ he said.

He reiterated that music should be constructive and blasted artistes who engaged in violent lyrics urging them to find pleasure in learning to play live instruments and delivering songs of love and unity.

“It is sad that our music is going down the wrong way, particularly Zimdancehall. Nowhere is it written that it has to be as violent as it has turned out to be, music must build. If a musician is to show commitment to his or her work it is also imperative that one should be well versed with the instruments as well,’’ he also said.

The talented artiste finds inspiration from Hope Masike and sees himself belonging to a generation faced with the obligation to preserve the mbira music genre at a time when the legends like Thomas Mapfumo were getting old while others were passing away.

The writer is a student at CCOSA.