Staff Writer
Rutendo Jackie is set to stage her first show at Theatre int the Park this Friday 30 June 2023 starting at 7pm.
Backed by the AfroBlue Band, Rutendo Jackie is an Afro-fusion songstress hailing from the mountainous diamond city of Mutare, Zimbabwe.
Rutendo Jackie musical career largely draws inspiration from the late Afro-jazz legend, Chiwoniso Maraire with significant influence and admiration of Lira and Zamajobe.
Born in Mutare on February 18th 1989 and being the only female amongst her siblings Rutendo’s entry into the world of music is a classical case of ‘hot talent spotted and exposed’.
At the age of eight she was able to draw people’s attention to her God given endowment in vocal prowess as she participated in the choir and traditional dance at Chiredzi Primary School.
Rutendo Jackie’s parents raised her and her three brothers according to Christian standards and as such the young discovered talent soon came under controversy as traditional dance did not resonate with the family’s set principles.
She later moved to Greenfield Primary School in Bulawayo then did her high school education at Townsend Girls High School in the same city.
In 2005 Rutendo Jackie moved to Mutare and also pursued a course in Business Management and Administration.
In 1996 the songstress lost her dad who was a huge pillar of strength and once again the family plunged into pain with the loss of their mother in 2004.
As the only remaining female figure in the family this meant a lot of responsibility on young Jackie.
Rutendo is married to Alwyn Mugandani who also plays a huge support role to her career and the couple is blessed with two lovely children.
The great entry on to the professional music stage began when she joined Band Mutare as a lead vocalist and together they would go on to tour numerous places across the country including Leopard Rock, Montclair Hotel and Casino, and The Holiday Inn.
Rutendo Jackie took a break from mainstream music making between 2014 and 2019 to concentrate on her family and other business interests in fashion; she owns a bridal and clothing stable named RJ Collection.
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