Last week, Harare witnessed an extraordinary convergence of cultural events, beginning in the morning of June 27 with veteran bureaucrat and scholar Matenda Rukobo launching his 475-page memoir “An Itinerant Social Scientist: Memoirs of a Public Servant” at Heritage Village in Warren Park.
The book offers a post-independence reflection on Rukobo's remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming a key figure in Zimbabwe's public service. The launch was attended by Vice President General (Rtd) Constantino Chiwenga as guest of honour, along with former Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, including several government officials and members of the diplomatic community.
Meanwhile, in the youth arts scene, Prince Edward High School hosted an innovative mixed-gender live music event and visual art exhibition featuring works by students Philip Mucheri and Kudakwashe Manganga.
The school’s senior and junior music students collaborated with students from Arundel Girls High and demonstrated exceptional performances that ranged from classical jazz to marimba renditions of popular songs.
On the other side of town, the “Winter Jazz and Seduction Café” curated by jazz virtuoso Josh Meck transformed the Zimbabwe German Society into an intimate performance space.
The event was supported by the British Council and the Embassy of Switzerland in Zimbabwe through the Music Connects Africa programme.
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It resembled a Tiny Desk concert — a series of live music performances hosted by the US-based network of public radio stations National Public Radio (NPR). The artists played from within the audience’s orbit, close enough to erase the line between the stage and seats.
First to take the stage was Natasha, Meck’s daughter, who recently began performing alongside her father. Her sets explore soulful covers by artists such as Lira and Sade. Currently, she is studying biomedical engineering at the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT).
“He is one of my biggest musical inspirations. Every time we perform together, I am reminded of where I come from and why I love what I do,” Natasha shared with IndependentXtra.
Rute Mbangwa was also part of the lineup alongside surprise artist Mitchel Mvundura, whose version of Dorothy Masuka's Pata Pata received requests for an encore from the audience.
On Saturday evening, Theatre in the Park hosted a profoundly moving launch for the album Chimanimani, a collaborative five-track acoustic project between poet Chirikure Chirikure and the late mbira icon Chiwoniso Maraire finally realised after 17 years.
It was a night of shared stories and collective memory — not just for Chirikure, but for Daves Guzha as well. “I was going on a tour to Stockholm for a play called Robinson Crusoe, which we were reimagining in an African context. I needed a musician, and that’s how Chiwoniso became part of my team,” Guzha shared.
With abundant humour and playful banter, the duo took the audience down memory lane, recounting their European theatre tours as part of Rooftop Theatre Company — whose star-studded cast included the late Walter Muparutsa, Mandla Moyo, and Thembi Ngwabi. Yet, with equal tenderness, they traced the heart-breaking timeline of Chiwoniso’s final days.
The bond between her and Chirikure was deep, reflected in some of the mbira songstress’s most popular tracks—notably Iwai Nesu, a song written by Chirikure from the 1998 album Ancient Voices.
“We had a lot of fun touring all over the UK,” Chirikure recalled, as he singled out a tour that was a fundraising programme for the Zimbabwe College of Music (ZMC). “The wing of ZMC you see today that teaches Afro music — we helped build that with Chiwoniso,” he said, amidst applause from the audience.
Hosted by moderator and creative entrepreneur Patience Phiri, the launch was a time travel capsule transporting both older and newer generations of listeners. The crowd enjoyed an exclusive preview of the album, where Chirikure’s poetic dub chants intertwined with Chiwoniso’s haunting mbira melodies and beautiful vocals, creating a mystical medley particularly evident in the songs Chimanimani and Tinobhomba. The latter is a powerful plea for tolerance and a world free of conflict, urging humanity to choose peace over violence in settling disputes.
Chengeto Brown, Chiwoniso’s daughter, brought her mother’s songs to life, rekindling memories of one of Zimbabwe’s most beloved artists. Other performances included Afro-pop and traditional folk artist Tendex, as well as human rights advocate and musician Okay Machisa.
The album carries the songs Bread and Roses, Mutserendende, Tinobhomba, Chimanimani — Stolen Light, and Kanyanisa. It was made possible through a collaboration with legendary keyboardist and producer Keith Farquharson as well as the Bridgenorth Music label.
By Sunday, the focus shifted to visual arts as the British Council hosted the premiere of Prudence Chimutuwah's documentary.
The event included a panel discussion moderated by cultural consultant Usher Nyambi, featuring Chipo Kanyumbu (Head of Arts at the British Council), Fadzai Muchemwa (Curator of Contemporary Art at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe), and Chimutuwah alongside her husband, Calvin — himself an accomplished visual artist.
Chimutuwah’s work is distinguished by her bold, vibrant palette and recurring depictions of women. Her innovative use of materials — including paint and decommissioned Zimbabwean banknotes.
Among the attendees were British Council leaders, Lloyd Anderson, (Zimbabwe, Country Director and Cluster Lead, Southern Africa), and Farai Ncube, (Regional arts Director Africa) as well as art administrators and creatives.
The ensuing discussion highlighted key themes: the power of collaboration, grant opportunities for artists through the British Council, and the imperative for stakeholders to register with regulatory bodies to fully access available opportunities.
“It is important to maintain sustainability and ensure all players and key stakeholders are involved in these processes.
Equally key is having government involvement through supportive policies while also encouraging corporate sector investment in the space,” Kanyumbu said.