Women Voices of Dissent Poetry Series 4: Not Yet
Musician and activist Nyaradzo Mashayamombe launched her third album at an event held at the German Society Zimbabwe last Wednesday night.
The fifteen track album comprises of songs such as ‘Ndirarame si?’, ‘Africa’ and ‘Hakuna’ which is in both short and full versions.
One of the producers Clive Mono Mkundu described the album as a great work of art.
“One thing I like about this album is that it is a mixture of gospel and love songs, which is a good thing because God created love,” said Mkundu.
He mentioned that Mashayamombe is one of the few artists with real talent adding that piracy combined with economic hardships had forced producers to accept anyone who can afford to pay for their services instead of giving first preference to talent.
Friend and colleague to Mashayamombe in the civil society, Tariro Tandi who is also an activist said that the launch of the album was a testimony that hard work pays.
“Sometimes when we revisit the memories of the way we grew up, Nyari and I cry because our childhood in the rural areas was full of hardships; but look at us now”, shared an emotional Tandi.
For Mashayamombe who is also Director of Tag a Life and organisation that deals with girls’ and women’s rights, success is not only in releasing the album, but it is also in the meaning she manages to attach to the songs and the way she expresses herself.
She said, “For me this album means self-actualisation , just being able to achieve that self-expression that’s why I titled it ‘Zvatiri’ (who we are) but you won’ find any song called ‘Zvatiri in the album.
“It expresses me as an artist, me as a person, me as a black young woman,” she added.
Nyaradzo Mashayamombe & Fungisai Mashavave Zvakavapano share a happy moment during the album launch.
Some of the CDs available for sale were auctioned with the highest bidder parting with US$500 for the first one. Other copies that were auctioned were purchased for US$100 and $50 was the lowest amount paid for one copy during the auction.
After the auction, President of the Affirmative Action Group (AAG), Dr Chamu Chiwanza paid forty times more than the normal price of the CD which is $10. He said the US$400 he paid in exchange of the CD was a sign of support.
The album is a fusion of collaborations from different artists. It was co-produced by Clive Mono Mkundu from Monolio studios and McDonald Chidavaenzi from Eternity Studios. Some of the backing vocalists include the late Chiwoniso Maraire , Carol Wutawunashe and Rumbidzai Sengwayo. Mkundu also played a role as a guest musician on the album together with Enock Riroro and Aubrey Kadambe.
The launch was supported by business people, fellow musicians, and women from the civil society. Director of Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre and Network (ZWRCN), Pamela Mhlanga and Beatrice Savadye from Real Opportunities for Transformation Support (ROOTS) were some of the representatives from the civil society.
Gospel artist, Fungisai Mashavave Zvakavapano was one of the musicians that attended the launch and she gave guests a mini performance of her favourite song from the album titled ‘Pisarema’.
Mashayamombe gave her guests a treat through a live performance of some of her songs including a love song titled ‘Ndokudavo’.
All images by Daphne Jena
About the author
Daphne is a passionate about women’s and youth rights advocacy. She believes in youths’ participation in important political, economic and social platforms. Daphne is hopeful that someday she will lead a successful information empowerment movement. She blogs at daphnejena@wordpress.com.
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