Zimbabweans mourn death of mbira great Stella Chiweshe

Chiweshe, who spent most of her career in Germany, succumbed to brain cancer, at her Harare home. She was 77. The ‘Nehondo’ singer will be laid to rest at her rural home in Mashonaland Central Province on 24 January.

Local artists and music industry players took to social media to convey their condolences following news of the artist’s passing.

“When women were not allowed to play the mbira, she resisted, she fought not just for herself but for every woman who came after her,” Germany-based rapper Awa Khiwe wrote on social media. “She crawled so that we could run. I can’t even pick the words to describe her greatness, not even death can take it away. Mama’s legacy will live on forever through her music and inspirational journey. Rest in peace mama, until we meet again.”

In a joint statement, gospel singer Charles Charamba and his wife Olivia said: “As we receive the sad news of the passing on of mbuya Stella Chiweshe, we salute her for her determination to record music at a time when all odds were against blacks and worse; female artists.”

National Arts Council Zimbabwe director Nicholas Moyo said: “Mbuya Stella Chiweshe was undoubtedly Zimbabwe’s queen of mbira and one of the country’s foremost cultural exports. With her swooping vocals on the mbira, she brought traditional Zimbabwean Shona music to the international stage.”

Award-winning journalist Robert Mukondiwa wrote: “I’ve been silent on the death of Mbuya Stella Rambisai Nekati Chiweshe and with good reason. It’s called shock. Two days ago, I was worried that we amplify and immortalise make voices than we do women. My hope was to seek funding to do a biography on this haunting spirit that has hovered over our land for generations.

“It would be a solid investment as I would need travel and research and many hours of administration work. Initially I had wanted to capture how Jah Prayzah has become the spirit of a current generation or the enigmatic legend hermit that is Lovemore Majaivana. But immediately Stella Chiweshe came to mind. Now I have no clue where to go from here.”

Arts critic and journalist Plot Mhako said: “The truest cultural ambassador has gone but her ground breaking legacy will live for generations. She remained true to her roots and culture despite living in Europe for the greater part of her adult life. I am more sad that I once lived in the same region with her but I always contemplated visiting her for years and never did. May her soul rest in peace.”

Chiweshe was Born on 8 July 1946. Her career as a recording artist began in 1974 with the release of her single ‘Kasahwa’. She joined the National Dance Company of Zimbabwe in 1981 and toured internationally with it playing the mbira. During the 1980s, she amplified her mbira and introduced electric instruments to her supporting band. She formed her first band The Earthquake in 1985. ‘Chimurenga’ and ‘Nehondo’ were Chiweshe’s 1988 liberationist songs. She also helped to form the Zimbabwe Musicians Union. Apart from her musical endeavours, she played the leading role in the film Ambuya Nehanda, which depicts the life of anti-colonial resistance leader Mbuya Nehanda.

Chiweshe was a recipient of various local and international awards, including a Billboard Music Award in 1993 for the album Shungu.