Song Review: Manake by Ruuniq
By Rudo Shumba
Voice2Rep is a groundbreaking platform that aims to discover, develop and showcase the vocal talents of Zimbabwean youth. Now in its third year, this year’s cohort features 13 young men and women who have written and recorded songs about social ills that are affecting all of us in our communities. The project was born of a collaboration between Accountability Lab and the Magamba Network.
Singer and songwriter Rumbidzai Mutasa, aka Ruuniq
The songs are featured on the compilation album Vakuru and Enthuse is excited to begin a series where we review each of the 13 tracks on the album.
First up is “Manake” by Rumbidzai Mutasa, who also goes by Ruuniq. Ruuniq – who hails from Harare – delivers a reggae track, with a laid back rhythm which deconstructs the common narrative about working hard in order to have a good life. Her passion is audible as she explains that nowadays, many who go to work are not paid enough to be able to survive.
“The mindset is that if you go to school you will get a job, but that’s not how life goes. Given the economy, we don’t get much. The money is enough to survive. You can see that people are making money but they are not thinking of increasing your pay. That mindset that we are working as slaves should go. Pay me something that is enough to live on.”
As a singer and songwriter Ruuniq admits that in the past she has mostly written songs about love and gospel fare, but she says the Voice2Rep program opened her eyes. “I have written a lot. But I listen to Oliver Mtukudzi and I knew I wanted to inspire people. I want to concentrate more on that now. We need to push more on setting a positive mindset for people”.
The track itself is a solid effort. With lyrics such as Hapana asingade manake, she captures the prevailing and universal sense that everyone in Zimbabwe aspires to a better life. “Manake” brings to vivid life through a laidback beat and lyrics the reality that no matter how hard you try, what you earn is never enough to cover school fees, rent, groceries. We all know the drill.
The track she says is deeply personal.” It’s what I’ve been through. I’ve been working for so long but I have nothing to show for it. That mindset that work hard and life will go well for you isn’t true. We have to declutter our minds of our thoughts. If you just go to work and hope that you will get a house that is not going to happen.”
Ruuniq is an interesting new talent, although on this track her voice lets her down sometimes, suffering from occasionally being off-pitch. This is a common phenomenon with inexperienced singers which can be overcome with practice and training your ear to be on-pitch. But otherwise a solid effort from an interesting performer.
You can listen to this track and more on the “Vakuru” compilation album on streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music an YouTube) or by sending a message to +27600806146 on Whatsapp.
