As Zimbabwe prepares to mark Zimbabwe's Independence Day on April 18, the artiste says his work reflects both environmental urgency and national pride. Blending eco-poetry, AI-generated soundscapes and traditional Zimbabwean instruments, Munya Touch positions art as a mirror and a megaphone — reflecting the realities of climate change while calling for collective responsibility.
In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style reporter Tendai Sauta (ND), the artiste spoke about creativity, climate activism and the evolving Zimbabwean music landscape.
Below are excerpts from the interview:
ND: Who is Munya Touch?
MT: I am a climate change artiste and eco-artiste. I raise awareness about climate change through eco-poetry and eco-music, integrating artificial intelligence into my creative process to broaden the reach and impact of my message.
ND: How did your journey in music begin?
MT: My passion for climate education inspired me to begin making music. I realised music is a powerful medium for communicating environmental issues and I decided to incorporate AI tools to enhance creative output.
ND: What themes dominate your music?
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MT: My work is largely guided by United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13, which focuses on climate action. It provides a framework for the themes I explore in music and poetry.
ND: What instruments or production styles define your sound?
MT: I experiment across genres using AI-generated music, but I consistently include elements of mbira and marimba to anchor my sound in Zimbabwean tradition.
ND: How has Zimbabwean culture influenced your music?
MT: Instruments like mbira and marimba are central to Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage. Including them in my music helps me to maintain a strong sense of identity and authenticity.
ND: What does independence mean to you as a musician?
MT: Independence represents the freedom to express myself and raise awareness about climate issues through music. It also reflects historical progress, because opportunities and support systems were limited for Black artistes before independence.
ND: How has the music industry changed over the years in Zimbabwe?
MT: The industry has become more diverse and experimental. Previously, artistes often worked within specific genres and band structures, but now there is more freedom to innovate.
ND: What challenges do musicians face in the current environment?
MT: One major challenge is adapting to new technologies such as AI music platforms. There is still scepticism around AI-generated music, even when it is used to address important issues like climate change.
ND: Have you engaged with international audiences or collaborations?
MT: Yes, I have collaborated with South African artiste Base The DJ, who focuses on social issues in low-income communities. I also performed at the South African Presidential Climate Commission earlier this year and am scheduled to perform in Germany around June.
ND: How do you see Zimbabwean music evolving globally?
MT: There is still progress to be made, but global recognition will grow if we remain authentic and avoid imitating other cultures.
ND: What message do you aim to communicate through your music?
MT: My goal is to raise awareness about climate change and encourage people to take action to mitigate its effects.
ND: What are your future plans or upcoming projects?
MT: I am working on an album titled Dear African Child: A Call To Climate Action, which is about 80% complete and will be released around September or October.
