Have you ever imagined gospel singer Fungisai Zakavapano-Mashavave playing mbira and belting out her songs in a solo act?
To many it is a style of performance synonymous with Chiwoniso Maraire, but the gospel diva will unveil her unique act at the Spar Solo Festival at Pakare Paye Centre on December 3.
“This year we decided to be more gender-sensitive and add more women to the line-up and these will include Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, Fungisai, Edith Katiji, Chiwoniso and Kenyan artiste Suzanne Owiyo amongst others,” said festival director Watson Chidzomba.
Chidzomba said it was clear it would be a great challenge for most of the women to perform on their own since they are used to working with bands. He said Katiji who does so well with her band would this time go on stage with only her bass guitar and urged people to come and witness this show with a difference.
“Most Southern African female artistes do not do solo shows and the festival simply encourages women to venture into solo acts and to build their confidence and experience,” said Chidzomba.
He said besides the main event on December 3, there would also be an event featuring schools on December 2 that is funded by the Culture Fund Trust of Zimbabwe, whose idea is to come up with a developmental side of the festival.
Chidzomba said performances would be from pupils from Norton Secondary School and a few other schools from Harare. There will be a jam session at the end of the day.
“We will start with workshops in the morning and these will be conducted by some of the artistes who will be performing on the next day.”
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Chidzomba said this was a strategic development towards a positive growth of the festival.
