UK-BASED Zimbabwean gospel musician Simangenkosi “Mantongande” Nkala, known for blending gospel music with traditional Ndebele sounds, has highlighted the role of faith and music in promoting emotional healing, saying Zimbabwe needs more open conversations about mental health, grief and emotional wellbeing.
Speaking during her recent visit to Zimbabwe, Nkala said her personal experience as a cancer survivor, coupled with the loss of close friends and relatives, shaped her music and strengthened her belief in the power of faith to help people to navigate life’s challenges.
“I’m a cancer survivor. I believe I survived by the mercy of God. It was not because I was more intelligent or clever than others. I prayed, had faith in God and I believe that is why I survived,” she said.
The artiste said surviving cancer gave her a deeper appreciation of life and inspired her to use music as a platform to share messages of hope and encouragement.
She said her music went beyond entertainment and served as a source of comfort for people facing grief, illness and emotional struggles.
“When you talk about music, you talk about the message that you present to people. As a Christian, I have a message to share with people, a message of hope. The Word of God is in my music,” the artiste said.
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Nkala, who has built a unique identity by fusing gospel music with traditional Ndebele rhythms and sounds, says her work is rooted in Christian faith and cultural heritage.
Drawing from her experience in the United Kingdom, the artiste said there was a noticeable difference in how mental health issues were discussed and addressed in that country compared to Zimbabwe.
“Here we don’t talk much about mental health. We are not open enough. You find that someone is depressed and people do not even know. They just think something is wrong with them,” she said.
The artiste said many emotional and psychological challenges were misunderstood, with some communities attributing mental health challenges to spiritual causes instead of recognising the need for professional support.
The musician said there was a need for greater mental health awareness and strong support systems, particularly for young people facing depression, substance abuse and related challenges.
Zimbabwe is facing growing mental health and substance abuse crises, with experts and civil society organisations calling for urgent intervention to address drug dependency, depression and under-resourcing in public psychiatric facilities such as Ingutsheni Hospital.
She linked the rising drug and alcohol abuse scourge among young people to underlying emotional and social pressures.
“Children are taking alcohol and drugs because they are depressed. There is no work, there is peer pressure and they end up resorting to substances. It destroys lives,” the artiste said.
She added that, while drugs existed overseas, stronger support systems and services helped people to cope with addiction and mental health challenges.
Nkala said counselling, community support and open conversations could play a critical role in helping individuals facing emotional difficulties.
She noted that through her family’s involvement in counselling in the UK, she realised the importance of creating safe spaces where people can seek help without being subjected to stigma.
The musician said her experience with grief influenced her songwriting, with some tracks on her latest EP having been inspired by the loss of close friends and relatives who succumbed to cancer.
Among them is a woman from her church whose faith during her battle with pancreatic cancer left a lasting impression.
“What really touched me was her realisation that she was coming to the end and decided to detach herself from the things of this world,” she said.