JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA
Strikingly, there are fewer Zimbabwean female musicians than their male counterparts.
This, in a country where the fairer sex makes up 52 percent of the population, is an interesting statistic.
So, how is a minority gender able to dominate in this manner?
Well, I can offer an answer.
Most of the ladies involved in Zimbabwean performing arts tend to shun mainstream music, concentrating on singing for smaller groups, what you call a niche.
This makes the bar even higher, because those who are into R&B and hip-hop are hardly noticeable.
A look at the posters for most gigs in Harare you find that there is one female artiste or none at all.
This situation is not only worrying, but paints a picture of inequality within the arts sector.
The good thing though is that from the few women who are into music, those who excel stand out.
For instance, Feli Nandi, whose real name is Felistas Winnie Chipendo.
As we celebrate some of her success, Feli Nandi has become a symbol of womanhood.
And she is a mother and an artist all in one, leading a band full of men.
While this is enough for her to grab the attention of fans, she has become a great singer, composer and songwriter of note.
What is all the more remarkable is that Feli Nandi started out her music career as a backing vocalist for Mbeu and The Mhodzi Tribe.
As fate would have it, Feli Nandi left Mbeu to go solo, a masterstroke. She became one of the greatest finds in local music.
While she has remained grounded, Feli Nandi is slowly weaving her way up the ladder, enjoying every stride.
She has the voice, she has the stage presence and she has what it takes to be a star performer.
But one thing is missing.
Feli Nandi needs to put in more work into her music!
One or two songs don’t make you a well-rounded artist. She needs to record more hits so her playlist is not limiting, or rather she is not predictable.
So far, we love her songs: Ndoona Iwe, Mubayei and Unotyei are popular among her fans. But what else besides those songs is the biggest question to ask?
To make the long story short, let’s have more hits, Feli! Consistency, my sister, consistency! That’s what separates a good musician and a great one!
If you can’t produce more, then collaborate with others and own the hits.
And once you do that, we give you two to three more years and you will arrive!
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