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.
“Dariro” is an up-tempo track on the Vakuru album compilation by the artist Tsitsi Masawi, who goes by the name Tsitsi Culture Galore (TCG). Tsitsi Culture Galore is an up and coming female artist whose genre is Afro-jazz. She says, “My music talks about inequalities,and I try to share a message that will empower young women. I also sing to promote Ubuntu in a modern way as I believe that culture is dynamic. Culture is one of the factors which suppress women’s rights but my music is for culture to accommodate all women in all spheres of life”.
“Dariro” – like the other tracks on this album – is an examination by a young artist of troubling issues within their community. In this case, TCG is calling for dariro a dialogue about the lack of service delivery – particularly the lack of water in her community of Bindura.
She says, “The issue of social services delivery that work is an issue around the whole nation. Our leaders seem to be silent on these things yet they make girls and women suffer more. I was focusing on water and calling for a dialogue with the duty bearers so that we discuss the problem and try to find solutions. The dialogue I would hope for is in a circle where we all discuss, with no one holding a post. This would promote free ideas. There are certain problems you face towards delivering social services, for example, people not paying rates but why can’t you involve us in these processes so that we participate in problem solving!”
“Dariro” is a fantastic effort from TCG with a familiar afro jazz feel which works well with her vocal delivery. Although not a top-notch vocalist, she makes up for it with passion and expressive vocalization on this infectious tune. TCG says she is passionate about community issues – what we call, ubuntu.
As I sing to champion inequalities and promote Ubuntu in a modern way I address issues around culture as a limiting factor towards the success of girls and women. I believe that culture is dynamic therefore we should grab technology at its best and recognize girls and women in all spheres of life.”
It is heartening to see the younger generation giving a voice to the problems we hear in our society. Vakuru has been a revelation and all the young artists who have contributed are ones to watch out for in the future.
You can listen to this track and more on the “Vakuru” compilation album on streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube) or by sending a message to +27600806146 on Whatsapp.
