Trust Khosa

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has hailed mbira (the thumb piano) players for preserving cultural heritage and upholding Hunhu/Ubuntu, using the sacred traditional instrument.

She also encouraged mbira players, arts promoters and cultural activists to uphold cultural identity, which defines Zimbabweans.

Dr Mnangagwa said this in a speech read on her behalf at the inaugural Bira Rembira Festival held at Gwanzura Stadium in Highfield, Harare, last Friday by Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera.

The mbira instrument was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2020, making it a sacred instrument whose cultural significance should be preserved at all costs.

Said the First Lady: “September is a special month set aside by Unesco to celebrate the promotion and manufacturing of mbira in Zimbabwe and Malawi.

“September has been set aside as the Mbira Month following Unesco’s 2020 endorsement of mbira as an instrument that defines our culture in Zimbabwe and Malawi.

“This development is critical in the sense that it encourages young people to appreciate their culture, identity and upholding ubuntu.”

The First Lady hailed some of the seasoned mbira players for their role in promoting the thumb piano.

“We feel proud when our mbira players are being acknowledged the world over for promoting mbira.

“Tendai Gahamadze of Mbira Dzenharira, Wilfred Mafrika Nyamasvisva (Mawungira Enharira) the late David Tafaneyi Gweshe, Tute Chigamba, were acknowledged as some of the best brains in the promotion of mbira.

“Albert Chimedza, who runs Mbira Centre and Chris Timbe of Melo-Rhythm, are well-known mbira manufacturers. We are proud of Unesco for such an honour bestowed on us,” she said.

Dr Mnangagwa acknowledged the cultural significance of the mbira instrument.

“We are gathered here to celebrate the mbira instrument in September. Mbira defines our culture and identity.

“Whenever mbira is played, it has an impact since it is therapeutic and infectious. It helps you to think deeply since it urges us to respect our culture. It reminds us to respect our way of life as well as respecting our elders who guide us,” she said.

She also hailed the new crop of mbira such as Jah Prayzah, Diana Mangwenya Samkange, Sasha Madube, Andy Muridzo, Virimai Vee Mhofu, Gushungo and Kurai Makore, among others, who are promoting mbira.

“I am proud of you my children. You are doing your best to promote our culture, identity and way of life,” she said.

The First Lady also saluted some of the departed yesteryear stars such as Mbuya Stella Chiweshe, Dr Oliver Mtukudzi and Chiwoniso Maraire, for exporting mbira overseas.

“In our country, we have a policy document called National Cultural Policy, which encourages the preservation of our culture by our Government.

“The document reinforces our agreement that our culture is critical for the economic prosperity of our country, our perception of our and how we should carry ourselves wherever we go,” she said.

She also acknowledged President Mnangagwa for officially opening the National Culture Month celebrations in Binga, Matabeleland North in May, the month set aside as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, by Unesco.

“President Mnangagwa emphasised the need to preserve our cultural heritage. I will work with him in this area.

“I have started various initiatives to assist young people to help them in preserving our cultural heritage, cooking and appreciation of our African cuisines through the National Cookout Programme.

“In February this year, the President unveiled a book, which emphasises the need to preserve our culture. I urged all of you to read the book to acquire knowledge on how to preserve our culture as well as appreciating our country.

“We need to keep on refreshing our minds through reading and education,” she said.

The First Lady has also been hailed for promoting the national fabric after consultations with various stakeholders around Zimbabwe in 2020.

“I teamed up with the President and fulfilled that wish of coming up with the national fabric and how it should be designed.

“Our national fabric has a Zimbabwe bird, national colours on our flag and Great Zimbabwe ruins. We are gathered here to fulfil all those things meant to promote our cultural identity.

“I would like to thank all Government departments who came to support this initiative (Bira Rembira) in appreciation of our culture,” she said.

Some of the mbira players who graced the event included Jah Prayzah, Vee Mhofu, Andy Muridzo, Madzinza Embira, Sasha Amadhuve and Gushungo, among others.

Representatives from the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and National Gallery of Zimbabwe, graced the event.

Many schools also participated in the event, which started in the afternoon, ending in the wee hours of Saturday as fans from all walks of life had a treat of a lifetime.

Seasoned arts promoter Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza, Benjamin Nyandoro of Jive Zimbabwe and Diana “Mangwenya” Samkange organised the event. – Herald