United Arab Emirates-based Zimbabwean Afro-jazz musician Patience Musandirire, known as Hwemonga, on Friday released a new single titled Wematongo.
In an interview with Standard Style, Hwemonga said the new song was inspired by the need to express the beauty of rural life and the power of dreams and imagination.
“The song Wematongo was inspired by the need to express the beauty of rural life and the power of dreams and imagination,” he said.
“The image of a boy herding cattle in the fields, finding moments of peace under a tree, and envisioning his future love through recurring dreams paints a vivid picture of innocence and longing.
“The setting of Macheke village with its natural landscape and simplicity, serves as the perfect backdrop for a story about connection, hope, and the magic of youthful dreams.
“It's a reflection on how even in the most ordinary of places, extraordinary stories and emotions can unfold.
“It’s a show of cultural heritage and historical relevance that helped shape the lives of young people as they grew up appreciating their traditional life through their day- to- day lives.
“So, we may safely say the inspiration came from the need to express cultural appreciation within the elements that nurtured young people’s lives through the innocence of the things they inherited.”
The musician has partnered with renowned creative video director Simba Gee, who has a notable catalogue of work in collaboration with the leading musicians and corporations in Zimbabwe.
The audio production was done in the United Arab Emirates where Hwemonga resides while the visuals were set in rural Zimbabwe.
The song and video take the audience all the way back to courtship in pre-colonial Zimbabwe.
Hwemonga's musical journey began at a young age, inspired by his uncle who played the mbira and his father who played the acoustic guitar.
His passion for music led him to pursue a Diploma in Education with music as a major from the University of Zimbabwe and later a Bachelor of Music Honours in Music Education at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
The new song is available on all digital streaming platforms.