Mbare Chimurenga choir does it again !

The 10-track matrix-loaded Chimurenga and jiti album comes from the outfit who made waves with their album titled “Nyatsoteerera” last year. They have once again proven that they are one of the best choirs in the land with a commitment to issues that are close to people’s hearts.
On the album Mbare Chimurenga Choir chronicles the struggle that Zimbabwe went through to liberate itself from the jaws of colonialism, up to the present day.

They also go the extra mile, reminding listeners of the enormous contribution that our leaders like President Mugabe and the two Vice Presidents Amai Joice Mujuru and John Nkomo made to liberate the country.
One cannot help but fall in love with the opening track, Mahwindi, in which President Mugabe is said to be a man of the people who associates with everyone across all sectors.

“VaMugabe vanofamba nemamonya, kwavanoenda vanodawo mahwindi . . . magweja . . . marasta . . . mambuya . . . mayouth . . . mapositori . . . nemajega,” sings the choir.
The song is accompanied by a video showing the President in the company of all these people.
It is a fast-paced and danceable song that captures the ear of the listener right from the start.

Hurumende Yevatema talks about self-rule and how it came about as a result of the sacrifices that the leadership made.
“Ndiyo Taichemera” talks about the long road to freedom from colonial bondage that Zimbabweans travelled.
“Zimbabwe ndiyo taichemera Zimbabwe, kurara musango, kunaiwa nemvura . . . Zimbabwe nyika yevatema,” are part of the lyrics.
However, the song does not just focus on the travails and pains of the struggle but also shows how this struggle finally brought about the joys and peace that people are enjoying today.

The late heroine Mbuya Nehanda Nyakasikana’s prophecy that “my bones shall rise again” makes up the gist of track number four in which she is invoked to come and witness for herself how true her words have become today.
“Nehanda huya uwone Nehanda/ VaMugabe votonga . . . Ivhu redu takatora/Minda yedu torima/Goridhe tochera/ Zimbabwe yodya ichiguta,” go the lyrics.

The song reminds people of the achievements that Zimbabwe has scored since Independence in 1980 like land redistribution, farming, mining and the economy through black empowerment.

During the colonial era, all these sectors were in the hands of the minority whites but Independence reversed all that.
The title track Simukai “Tiverengane” urges people to “take stock” of one another, urging everyone to be visible when the time to be counted by the “shepherd” in this case President Mugabe, comes.

The leader is likened to a shepherd whose duty is to safeguard his flock, which he constantly makes sure is safe by counting its numbers.
Another powerful song is “Taimboshungurudzwa” about how people suffered on the hands of Westerners during the struggle: “Muhondo taimboshungurudzwa . . . nhazi uno tirikufara isu (we suffered in the war, but today we are free and happy).”

Other tracks to look forward to are Chibhakera Simudza, Tinovada, Hatibve Muno and Nhoroondo.
Recorded at Shed Studios, the album was produced by Peter Muparutsa while Elizabeth Bwanya co-ordinated it.
The album is a must-listen as it addresses issues that affect every Zimbabwean.

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