{"id":116560,"date":"2026-04-21T20:22:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T18:22:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/all-news\/how-sofar-harare-delivered-a-rare-tribute-for-women"},"modified":"2026-04-21T22:27:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T20:27:51","slug":"how-sofar-harare-delivered-a-rare-tribute-for-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/all-news\/how-sofar-harare-delivered-a-rare-tribute-for-women","title":{"rendered":"How Sofar Harare delivered a rare tribute for women"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. <\/strong><\/span>March was International Women\u2019s Month and many events celebrating Zimbabwean women were hosted across the country.<\/p>\n

Sofar Sounds Harare dedicated one of its concerts, hosted at Chapungu Sculpture Park, to the universal theme.<\/p>\n

The performances were deeply moving and, for some, among the most layered acts seen on stage in a long time.<\/p>\n

Curated under the theme Connecting Music, Gender Equality and Climate Change, the show included a visual art exhibition showcasing paintings and drawings by Lin Barrie, Kimberly Magaya, Delight Mudziwapasi, Anopa Shonhe and Nokuthula Mpodu.<\/p>\n

Handmade jewellery by Amanda Le Brenton and ceramics by Tingting Wu were also on exhibition.<\/p>\n

The show opened with unanticipated glitches in live sound, which MC Michar Mushiko explained were due to novice female sound engineers being mentored after a workshop held earlier.<\/p>\n

The workshop was hosted by HerStage, founded by musician Mary Anibal to create opportunities and close the gender gap in stage management, stage tech, artiste liaison and other areas in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n

It was facilitated by engineer and vocalist Zvikomborero Shayamano, freelance sound engineer and audio consultant Gloria Saungweme, and Climate Youth leader Tafadzwa Kurotwi.<\/p>\n

Despite the early mishaps, the audience remained patient and unbothered.<\/p>\n

There was no whistling or hollering. Empty bottles and cans were available, but none were thrown to the stage.<\/p>\n

It may have been the tranquil environment at Chapungu Sculpture Park that absorbed any negative energy or simply the intellectual and emotional maturity of the audience.<\/p>\n

The small crowd seemed to appreciate, at that critical moment, that female empowerment was more important than perfect execution.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the aspiring sound technicians delivered a memorable late afternoon show of diverse performances.<\/p>\n

Spiritually rooted Matalamanda opened the show with three folk songs on one instrumental, performing Zumba raVashe, Yairire Ngoma and Gona Rinorapa. She was the most affected by the minor hiccups but ungrudgingly held her own and set the spiritual tone of the day.<\/p>\n

Poet, instrumentalist, activist and women\u2019s rights advocate Chioneso Rutsito delivered an entrancing set that included Shumba Inodzvova, Varipasi, Vasiya Vana, and Marry for Money. Her power and presence evoked the stagecraft of legendary mbira player Stella Chiweshe.<\/p>\n

Verity Tichawangana, playing violin with Sekai Zengeza on piano, debuted at Sofar Harare as Verekai. The duo covered All of Me (John Legend), Salut d\u2019Amour (Edward Elgar), Malaika (Miriam Makeba), Liebesleid (Fritz Kreisler) and Oliver Mtukudzi\u2019s Neria. They demonstrated female excellence and delivered a world-class act.<\/p>\n

Mary Anibal took to the stage and performed Nditarirei, Siti and Gogoride. The young artiste of Mozambican and Zimbabwean heritage is at a stage in her career where she embodies Black Girl Magic \u2014 inspiring young girls while appealing to older women. She brought joy to the stage with her energy and infectious charm, introducing various mbira instruments while playfully engaging<\/p>\n

the audience.<\/p>\n

Sofar thrives on unexpected moments. One came when Tichawangana was brought back on stage for a mbira and violin collaboration with Anibal, joined by Jacob Mafuleni. The ensemble\u2019s cover of Chiwoniso Maraire\u2019s Mai electrified the audience.<\/p>\n

Lit by ultraviolet light under a big tree, it was a magical and iconic performance that will be cherished by those present.<\/p>\n

Tichawangana, who had previously collaborated with Maraire, admitted it was a daunting task. Despite her concern, by the time Anibal sang, \u201cWhenever I remember her loving smile, sunshine to my eyes \u2014 \u201d, the audience was fully captivated.<\/p>\n

The song stirred nostalgia and a realisation of how much many missed the \u201cMbira Princess\u201d and still grieved for her. Some were moved to tears in the dim light.<\/p>\n

It also reminded everyone that the occasion was not only about celebrating living Zimbabwean women and their achievements.<\/p>\n

The highlight came when veteran dancer and Afrikera Arts Trust founder Soukaina Edom entered the stage with a surreal performance, embodying the story and channelling her inner goddess. She glided barefoot, her graceful movements embracing the emotion of the soulful dirge.<\/p>\n

Her symbolic black gown and white headscarf suggested a svikiro. In the fading light, she invoked the deceased mother whose maternal love the singer longed for, turning the stage into a sacred theatrical experience.<\/p>\n

Classically trained powerhouse Tahle We Dzinza closed the show with love, intimacy and heartbreak through a wide-ranging set that included Love Is a Friend, Trying to Find (unreleased), Putire (unreleased), Damage, What Ya Know, and Ghost Town.<\/p>\n

She introduced her final songs with a disclaimer, encouraging male audience members not to feel targeted, before making space for female grievance with raw and personal emotion.<\/p>\n

Most closing acts perform on edge, as if the audience may leave before the set ends. Grappling with the imperfection of human relationships, We Dzinza commanded the stage<\/p>\n

like a true diva.<\/p>\n

The crowd stayed until her final note trailed off into the darkness.<\/p>\n

Sofar Harare\u2019s International Women\u2019s Month edition delivered more than high decibels and spectacle. It was a subtle and profound affair \u2014 fitting for the complexity of Zimbabwean women of all races, creeds, colour and ability.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Zimbabwe<\/span> Follow Africa-Press<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. March was International Women\u2019s Month and many events celebrating Zimbabwean women were hosted across the country. Sofar Sounds Harare dedicated one of its concerts, hosted at Chapungu Sculpture Park, to the universal theme. The performances were deeply moving and, for some, among the most layered acts seen on stage in a long […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":116559,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4],"tags":[19],"class_list":["post-116560","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-community","tag-zimbabwe"],"yoast_head":"\nHow Sofar Harare delivered a rare tribute for women - zimbabwe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"March was International Women\u2019s Month and many events celebrating Zimbabwean women were hosted across the country. 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