By Takawira Photovet Dapi
HARARE — Chimurenga music lit up the night as heir apparent Kurai Makore launched his highly anticipated third album, “Dzimwe Nguva (Sometimes),” in front of a jam-packed crowd at Sherwood Golf Club.
From VVIPs to die-hard fans, the venue buzzed with one powerful message — a new chapter in Zimbabwe’s musical legacy has begun.
But this was more than just an album launch. It was a ceremonial handover, a passing of the Chimurenga torch from the legendary Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo, now 80, to the rising lion — his cultural and musical nephew — Kurai Mukanya Wafawanaka Makore.
“Your Task Is National, Cultural, and African.”
Former Energy Minister and ZANU PF Politburo member, Hon. Fortune Chasi, delivered a stirring keynote, declaring:
“Tonight is not just an album launch — it’s the passing of the torch. Kurai, you inherit a legacy built on protest, power, and the voice of the oppressed. Your journey is not just musical. It is political. It is spiritual.”
He reminded the crowd of Mapfumo’s iconic anthems like “Tumirai Vana Kuhondo”, which stirred revolution and resistance during Zimbabwe’s liberation war.
“Kurai must now be the voice of the common person,” Chasi concluded — to roaring applause.
A Soundtrack of Soul and Struggle
Kurai’s new album, Dzimwe Nguva, dropped with an electrifying reception. The crowd — already familiar with many of the songs from past performances — sang along passionately to tracks like:
Dande (feat. Diana Mangwenya Samukange)
Gotokoto
Hukama
Manhanga Matete
Murume Wangu
Nyuchi
Rombe
Fusing folklore, love, hardship, and traditional wisdom, Kurai’s sound is Chimurenga at its core — but with fresh vibrancy that appeals to both elders and the youth.
In “Manhanga Matete,” he breathes new life into a beloved folk tune, layering it with jiti energy and political undertones. “Zvinonetsa” speaks quietly but forcefully to the economic hardships many face, while “Pasi” — from his previous album Ngoma Kurira — takes listeners into a space of grief and reflection on communal loss.
“Music is Business — Not Just Entertainment”
Veteran guitarist and producer Clive “Mono” Mukundu didn’t mince words as he addressed fellow artists:
“If you stop making music, you’re going backwards. Music is not just art — it’s a business.”
Kurai clearly took that to heart. His Black Lions Band delivered a polished, high-energy performance, cementing his reputation as a performer with a cause.
Full House, Full Heart
The event was overflowing with high-end cars, high-profile guests, and even higher vibes. The cheapest ticket went for a cool US$20, and the glamour was topped off by the endlessly outfit-changing MC Sarah Madhliwayo, aka “The One and Only Madam of Ceremonies”, who turned heads with her wardrobe changes after almost every performance slot.
With Dzimwe Nguva now streaming across platforms — Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, YouTube — Kurai Makore is making it clear: Chimurenga lives on, not just in memory, but in motion.
He’s not imitating Mukanya — he’s evolving the movement.
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