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Nobuntu
Sat, Oct 7, 2023, 8:00pm
Program

EARTH SONG

 

Native American *Trad.

INGOMA YAMI

 

Joyline Sibanda

UYANGIPHOXA

 

Duduzile Sibanda

NANGUYANA

 

Duduzile Sibanda

CULA

 

Zanele Manhenga

MUSIC IN THE AIR

 

Letta Mbulu ReArranged by Nobuntu

NOT YET UHURU

 

Letta Mbulu ReArranged by Nobuntu

RWIZI

 

Peter Muparutsa ReArranged by Nobuntu

QINA

 

Duduzile Sibanda, Zanele Manhenga

ILANGA

 

Duduzile Sibanda

BLACK TAX

 

Zanele Manhenga

LEAN ON ME

 

Bill Withers

NARINI

 

Zanele Manhenga

SIYAMBONGA

 

Thandeka Moyo

 

1. Earth Song
A native American song .We love this song we sing it with our minds, body and soul

2. Ingoma Yami
In this song we ask the ancestors to guide us in this music journey .We ask for a new song always.

3. Uyangiphoxa
In this song we blame all woes and troubles on Satan and we ask for courage and strength from the Almighty.

4. Nanguyana
A wedding in our culture is a big and celebrated event. We celebrate the arrival of the bribe and we are in awe of how she looks.

5. CULA
A song fixes any emotion, we encourage anyone who’s down and out to sing and they will be happy again. If you are happy sing some more.

6. MUSIC IN THE AIR
A song by legendary South African artist  Letta Mbulu celebrating the feelings that come with music.

7. NOT YET UHURU
Another Letta Mbulu song, Not yet uhuru means we are not yet free. This song was released in the early years South Africa got its independence from the Apartheid system. We as Nobuntu feel this song still rings true now as it did then.  We are not  yet free as a society; if women do not have equal opportunities and equal pay with our male counterparts.

8. RWIZI 
A Shona hymn we sing to praise the most high.

9. QINA
This song encourages women to be strong and not always to be advocated for. If you don't stand up for yourself no one else will.

10. ILANGA
A song that encourages one to work in their youth so as to prepare themselves for a bright future.

11. BLACK TAX
Traditionally in our culture, parents and grandparents are taken care of, by their children. It’s a duty and an honour to be able to take care of your parents regardless of your circumstances. However in the past years, because of cultural integration some people feel burdened to take care of their loved ones and call it “Black Tax”. We as Nobuntu say there is no such thing as black tax. Be glad that you are able to take care of your parents.

12. LEAN ON ME
This is a song by Bill withers about friendly support during difficult times. Nobuntu do a rendition of this much needed message that strengthens the bond between people.

13. NARINI
Narini means forever and ever. The songs talks about how love stays forever. Love does not envy, its does not boast in itself and love is patient forever and ever.

14. SIYAMBONGA
A song of thanks giving. We praise the most high for always giving us opportunities we have.

About the Show

Nobuntu, the female a cappella quartet from Zimbabwe, has drawn international acclaim for its inventive performances that range from traditional Zimbabwean songs to Afro Jazz to Gospel. The ensemble’s concerts are performed with pure voices, augmented by minimalistic percussion, traditional instruments such as the Mbira (thumb piano) and organic, authentic dance movements.

Nobuntu was nominated for Best Musician of the Year at the Zimbabwe International Women Awards in London in 2015 and are currently a two-time winner for the Best Imbube Group at the Bulawayo Arts Awards 2017 and 2019. In the last few seasons, the quintet has performed at festivals and concert halls in Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic and throughout the African continent. The ensemble was a huge critical success at Trans-Vocal” in Frankfurt and Voice Mania” in Vienna. Their first tour to Canada, in 2016, included performances in Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Victoria.

The word Nobuntu is an African concept that values humbleness, love, unity and family from a womans perspective. The ensemble represents a new generation of young African women singers who celebrate and preserve their culture, beauty, and heritage through art. The ensembles mission is the belief that music can be an important vehicle for change, one that transcends racial, tribal, religious, gender, and economic boundaries.

Back at home, Nobuntu holds a number of community initiatives, one of which is The Nobuntu Pad Bank where they gather sanitary pads for young women in the arts in underprivileged communities.

Nobuntu has released three recordings – Thina in 2013, Ekhaya in 2016 and Obabes beMbube in 2018. The group has made dozens of television and radio appearances throughout Africa and Europe promoting these recordings and the culture of their homeland.