Story by Courage Bushe
A Zvishavane-based music teacher has stepped into the spotlight after launching a debut Afrofolk album aimed at promoting Zimbabwean cultural values and confronting rising social problems such as drug abuse and crime.
Nyika Muchenu (36), a music teacher at Marians Junior School in Zvishavane, unveiled his 10-track album titled Matsimba Enguva, a project he says seeks to encourage a return to traditional values and cultural identity.
Muchenu, who performs Afrofolk music inspired by Zimbabwean music icon Thomas Mapfumo, said the album was motivated by a desire to use music as a tool for social transformation.
“I am trying to make people realise that, as much as we expect good things to happen, we should put more effort into revisiting our culture. This will help our youth to avoid societal ills like drugs. In the past, we did not have issues with drugs, murder cases, or housebreaking. The question is, why now? That is why I believe we should revisit our culture and redefine our music industry,” he said.
Muchenu also called for music to be recognised as a serious profession rather than being viewed as a fallback career.
The album launch drew praise from education stakeholders, who said the project aligns with efforts to promote heritage-based learning within schools.
Guest of honour and Director of Marians Group of Schools, Piri Mukono, said the initiative complements Zimbabwe’s education reforms.
“We commend what Mr Muchenu has done because it highlights or complements the Second Republic’s vision of implementing the heritage-based education framework at schools. Now, parents who have come to this album launch now understand the importance of practical subjects, and this will help nurture upcoming artists,” he said.
Muchenu writes and performs his music in several local languages in a bid to reach wider audiences. Some of the standout tracks performed during the launch included Nyota and the title track Matsimba Enguva.
