As we come to a close to the spectacular Open week, we now bring a different vibe to end the event on a “HIGH NOTE.” We bring you the language and Music which is a blend of both interviews and performances from some of the artists that the Zimbabwe German Society has assisted to travel to Germany. They will also be sharing their stories and some of their exciting experiences while in Germany which will bring a whole different vibe.
The show will be hosted by the amazing Blessing Bled Chimanga. When you hear the name Bled, you guaranteed a session full of energy and excitement, as we the Zimbabwe German society we only bring the best content. Bled will be interviewing Maria Kudakwashe Chisvo also known as Vera and Emmanuel Makanza also known as Ganze.
| Blessing Chimanga |
He is a 29-year-old talented and passionate musician who plays 4 instruments namely Drums, Marimba, Keyboard, and Percussion. He is also a music director, arranger, producer, coach, songwriter, and singer.
Blessing did his primary education at Haig Park School in Harare where he started his music career as a percussion and piano player. He moved to Prince Edward High School in 2004 for his secondary educations where he furthered his music journey. He joined the Jazz Band and was an active member and leader for the years he was at Prince Edward. He has coached and mentored music at various schools in Zimbabwe such as Watershed College, Harare International School, Winad Musicology, Hillcrest College, Lendy Park School, and Chisipite Senior School.
Blessing started his professional music career in 2006 when he started to play for Zimbabwean musicians such as the late Sam Mtukudzi and Oliver Mtukudzi, Hope Masike, Busi Ncube, Dudu Manhenga, Chiwoniso Maraire, and Tariro Negitare.
He has played with international musicians such as Eric Wainaina (Kenya), Freshlyground (South Africa), Mike Del Ferro (Netherlands), Amanda Labanda (Italy), Ary Morais (Norway), Michael W. Smith (USA), Sona Jobarteh (UK), Wezi (Zambia) and Dan Zanes (USA). He has also performed at big stages and festivals locally and internationally such as HIFA, Stubbetorpet Festival in (Sweden), Umoja Festival (Mozambique), Barefeet Festival (Zambia), Global isai festival (India) Kaadama music festival (India), Italian River Blues Festival, 3rd European Blues Challenge (Italy), Ameno Blues (Italy), and Iguazu En Concierto (Argentina) among others.
He has performed for the Honourable Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Asif Ali in Chennai India.
In 2018 he was selected to be the Harare International festival of arts (HIFA) music director and music consultant. He is part of the National Institute of Allied Arts music committee and in 2018 and 2019 served as one of the adjudicators of the festival.
At only 28 years he is rated one of the fastest-growing musicians in Zimbabwe as he has traveled, performed, and done workshops across the world in countries such as Italy, Sweden, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Tanzania, Mozambique, Argentina, Brazil, Austria, Turkey, India, Egypt, Thailand, and the USA.
Maria Kudakwashe Chisvo is a musician popularly known as Vera. Vera has actively been in the music industry for 8 years. Her career has granted her the opportunity to travel both regionally and internationally. Her experience in the music industry as a seasoned performer has also granted her the opportunity to work in arts administration in Zimbabwe for over 5 years. Vera has worked her way up in arts administration from working accreditation at Harare’s biggest arts festival to managing the very first creative hub in Zimbabwe, Moto Republik. Throughout her career, she has worked as a project officer at one of the oldest arts development organizations Pamberi Trust, and was responsible for running the Female Literary Arts and Music Enterprise which promoted and trained multiple female artists in Zimbabwe. She was also the Project Manager for Zimbabwe’s first hip hop dance festival Jibilika. Vera has also founded her hub called Incubator ZW which focuses on creating art that inspires change and changes the narratives of minorities. Vera has over two years’ experience working as a guest facilitator at LGBTQ+ events. In her spare time, she uses her music to work with children between the ages of 11 – 16 years in career guidance and leadership training.
Qualifications include:
Programs Manager at Pamberi Trust – 2016 -2017
Vocal coach at Zimbabwe Theatre Academy 2018 – 2019
Dance Instructor at Deaf Zimbabwe Trust – 2018 -1n 2019
Programs Manager at Jibilika Dance Trust -2018
Founder of Incubator ZW – 2018
Emmanuel Makanza known as Ganze is a 26-year-old world-renowned saxophonist, guitarist, music producer, songwriter who has worked with several artists from all over the world, some of who include Bryan K, Reverb 7, and Fungai Nengare. He studied Music at Trinity London College. He has produced music for both local and foreign artists. One of his latest projects was with the up and coming afro-pop/house musician Nate (real name Natalie Manzungu for a love song titled Wanditora Moyo. Speaking from his base in Harare, Ganze said: “The song will bring attention to the need of listening to each other. With the ongoing pandemic, it is time to understand each other and the track is meant to revive that.”
