Stella Chiweshe Deserves National Hero Status, Says Clive Malunga

Jenaguru Arts Centre founder and musician Clive Malunga says the late mbira music queen, Stella Rambisai Chiweshe, popularly known as Mbuya Chiweshe, should be accorded national hero status for her contribution to the arts industry.

Malunga described Chiweshe as Zimbabwe’s global music ambassador who popularised mbira, marimba, hosho nengoma. He said:

Mbuya Chiweshe was the Zimbabwe music ambassador and world-class artiste, who popularised mbira, marimba, hosho nengoma across the globe.

One of Jenaguru Music Festival’s founding members, Mbuya Chiweshe was a strong pillar for women musicians in Zimbabwe, who represented women at most major events for artists.

In appreciation of her prowess in music, Mbuya Chiweshe was crowned queen of mbira music at Gwanzura Stadium in Highfield, Harare, and was honoured with a 21-carat gold star.

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She was also to be conferred with an honorary degree in 2002 by the University of Zimbabwe through a Jenaguru Arts Centre initiative.

The queen of mbira music deserves national hero status, as she was a patriotic cadre of Zimbabwe. May her soul rest in peace.

Chiweshe was born on 8 July 1946 in Mujumi Village in Mhondoro.

She succumbed to cancer of the brain on 20 January 2023 at her Kuwadzana home in Harare. She was 77.

Mourners were gathered at Mukwesha Homestead in Chinyika, Goromonzi, Mashonaland East province. | NewsDay