EUROPEAN Union ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann has described Mary Anibal as a young lady with innate talent, who if groomed, could be a good representative of African musical arts stardom.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Maria Wenyu album launch at the Alliance Francaise on Saturday, Kirchmann, who conferred Anibal with the Green and No to GBV ambassadorial role on Europe Day celebrated on May 9, said: “Mary Anibal is really a fantastic artist who performs well and, therefore, becomes very suitable to our mission as European Union on saying ‘no to gender-based violence’ and our vision for the green economy. She has amazing talent and entertains very well.”
Celebrated poet and arts administrator Albert Nyathi, theatre leading figure Jasen Mphepo, singer Ronald Tagwirei, jazz guitarist Victor Kunonga, Dave Mwale of Divine Sound, Alliance Francaise Harare director Fanny Gauthier and several others attended the show.
“This girl is talented, she is good and going to reach many places. She is charismatic, has stage presence and performs well. Performance is not only about a good voice, but it also talks about character and personality on stage and that’s the truth. You will go far and when you go far, do not forget some of us,” Nyathi said.
Anibal recognised the presence of her master and Third Generation Band leader Jah Prayzah.
At the same event, radio and television personality Chiedza Mupfunde, who was the host, said: “She [Anibal] frequently uses social issues as means for exploring her own identity in musical arrangements rich with surrealism and folk art. However, her legacy is enduring and she is now considered one of the most focused artistes of her generation. In Canada, Anibal’s music is frequently played on Karibuni 89.5FM.”
A mbira sensation, Anibal staged a top notch performance through songs Nditarirei, Paraffin, Gogoride, Bhonzo, Zevezeve and Ndibatsirei.
The songs are some of the 12 tracks on the album Maria Wenyu.
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Her performance came after a seamless presentation by Kudzi Kays Trio Band, Tsoro Arts Marimba Band, Drumming and Spoken Word by (Tich, Abel and Ska), which everyone had misjudged as the pinnacle performances of the night.
Anibal defied the odds, making the audience eat from her hand and sing along on the songs Kamuzangaza and Mvura, she performed as her last acts on the stage.
The stage set up by Divine Sound and Bridge North Music, was majestic.
“Maria Wenyu is highly expressive and reflective of my journey from childhood up until now. Nditorei is my prayer for divine protection in the journey of life. The song was birthed from a joyous experience when I was my sister’s best lady at her wedding. A week later, happiness faded into sorrow and grief when I was hit by a kombi [commuter omnibus],” Anibal said.
“Anything can happen in the shortest time available and, therefore, my prayer for divine protection.
“On Bhonzo Muderere, it is only in Nigeria and DRC [the Democratic Republic of Congo], where I discovered they have an okra and meat mix recipe. For us here in southern Africa, okra is served alone.
“It will be a shock to find a bone in okra soup. How we strive in times of difficulty is synonymous with Bhonzo Muderere.
“Paraffin slams the forced marriage of the girl child to boys. In the song, the girl’s aunt slams the act of forced marriages to boys,” Anibal said during a Press conference ahead of the Maria Wenyu album launch.
Said Anibal: “This is the beginning of something new and I am so excited to begin this journey. I think with more support and hard work, I will be able to reach out to the world with my music.
My music is about and for the people. It touches on the environment they live in and several social aspects.
“My show today reflects a lot on women supporting other women in business. Machuma Accessories did my beads and Rutendo Jack my fancy dress; Abigail Makotore did my hairstyle and my make-up was done by another specialist.”
She added: “The COVID-19 lockdown brought us a new normal, whereby people worked from home and mostly on their computers.
“For me, it was the very time that I was working towards attaining my Diploma in Music with the Music Crossroads Academy.
“I was working on my music and that’s when the song Bhonzo Muderere, among several others, were birthed.”
