By Staff writer
Afro-Jazz diva Diana ‘Mangwenya’ Samkange who doubles up as a traditional healer, is in cloud nine after scooping her first ever award courtesy of the Zuri Africa Zimbabwe programmerun by Vivacity.
Samkange changed her name to MaNgwenya, just like American pop star Beyoncé who turns into Sasha Fierce when she is on stage, she is possessed by MaNgwenya. She ventured into the industry as a replacement for 2BG’s Rutendo Muchirahondo in 2004 before going solo and deviating to Afro-jazz. She has produced many top-notch songs and established herself as a fluent mbira player.
The songbird rebranded in 2014 at album launch named “DainaSamkange the Past, MaNgwenya the Future” and she is currently riding on her latest offering titled Kumanginde which released in April this year.
The ‘Kumagumo Erudo’ hitmaker said that she felt honoured to scoop the award for the first time in her life since she ventured into the music industry.
She said, “I definitely felt so honoured because it is my first award even after so many years in the industry. Most times I got into awards; I would just end up at nominees’ stage. But this award of recognition has really made me feel honoured and it is a personal lesson that even when it seems like you are not being appreciated by people around you, it is a matter of time,”
She said she owed her success to her family and friends that have moulded her into the musician she has become.
MaNgwenya said the award would have a strong impact on her career as a musician and a Zimbabwe cultural ambassador because it is visible recognition of the good things, she is doing in promoting arts and culture.
Meanwhile, the songbird also disclosed she was also into large-scale farming and is working on establishing a brand which will pack traditional foods.
Vivacity Arts Association director Eutychus Chamunorwa said the award was meant to motivate and appreciate people championing traditional culture in the country just like MaNgwenya.
Chamunorwa confirmed MaNgwenya had been given a Zuri Africa Zimbabwe role model award, which would be handed over to the musician on September 28 at the Zuri Africa Zimbabwe finals at the Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre in Harare.
Zuri Africa Zimbabwe is a unique cultural, educational and leadership program that seeks to mentor young women in ethno-cultural andit promotes our Zimbabwean cultural heritage as well as the tourism industry.
Our cultural heritage and natural history have a very high value and is unique. It is an identity that can be introduced to the world. It is important to preserve our cultural heritage, because it keeps our integrity as a people.
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