Local musicians Oliver Mtukudzi, Charles Charamba and Sandra Ndebele-Sibindi will feature in a collaborative album to raise awareness about the importance of reading and libraries.
By Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe Rural Schools Library Trust (ZRSLT), who are organising the project, said Charamba, Ndebele-Sibindi and upcoming musician Denzel Mombeyarara have completed recording songs to be featured on the album titled Musicians United the World for Library Development.
“The album will be the first of its kind in the world and is likely to include songs done by musicians based in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe,” said project manager Driden Kunaka.
He said a number of local musicians had also shown interest in the project.
“Apart from the three who have already recorded, Jeys Marabini, Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana and Leonard Zhakata have shown interest. There are also upcoming musicians like Elvis Muchenje, Faith Kunaka, Lloyd Mbedza, Orchestra Mbira as well as Robert Kunaka and the Takunda Brothers who want to be part of this project,” said Kunaka, who is based in New Zealand.
Kunaka said seasoned musician Oliver Mtukudzi offered a song of the trust’s choice from his archives.
Ndebele-Sibindi said she was happy to be part of the project.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“It is my social responsibility to help, knowing as I do that the rural schoolchildren have no access to libraries. The books we collect will encourage children to read and transform their lives,” she said.
Her song titled Library Makhekhe, a fusion of Afro-pop and mbaqanga, encourages people to use libraries.
Mombeyarara was also ecstatic about the prospects of sharing the stage with established popular musicians when the album is launched: “I feel great working alongside established musicians on such a project. I am inspired by the fact that we all have a common interest to uplift the lives of rural schoolchildren by empowering them through the provision of library material.”
His song titled Remember Your Roots features gospel musician Abraham Mutopo.
ZRSLT’s music project is part of its effort to create awareness on the importance of libraries and to encourage Zimbabweans to read.
Kunaka, however, said the project faced financial challenges and appealed to well-wishers for assistance.
“Some of the musicians involved have been very understanding and have used their resources to record songs. We do not expect every musician to do the same. We are fundraising in various ways to raise money needed for musicians to record, to print the CDs and meet logistical costs,” said Kunaka.
