In the heart of Masvingo, a young musician is skillfully blending Zimbabwean tradition with contemporary sounds, creating a tapestry that resonates deeply with her roots while striking a chord with the next generation.
Michelle Gamuchirai Gwaku, known to her growing fan base as Mhofukadzi, is not just a musician. She is a cultural ambassador.
A lyrical bridge, connecting Zimbabwe’s past to its present.
At 26, Mhofukadzi’s voice carries the weight of generations, and her performances celebrate the Mbira, a traditional instrument that has become the hallmark of her musical identity.
Yet, her journey to this point has been anything but ordinary.
"I have been singing for as long as I can remember but it was until 2019 that I began performing professionally,” Mhofukadzi said.
“My uncle, Tawanda Gwaku, played a significant role in this, welcoming me into his band where I started as a backing vocalist.
“It was here that I found my voice, eventually stepping into the lead role and embracing the hosho, [a traditional percussion instrument].”
Mhofukadzi’s story is one of resilience built on her passion for cultural preservation. Its pieces are put together with poetic brilliance expressed through song and poetry.
Her passion for the mbira is more than just a love for its sound; it’s a commitment to keep Zimbabwean culture alive.
The commitment has seen Mhofukadzi evolve from a performer to a creative entrepreneur, founding the Roots and Rhythms Festival in early 2024.
The festival, a vibrant blend of music and poetry, aims to fuse African traditional music with Western elements, creating a sound that speaks to young people while honouring the past.
"Roots and Rhythms is about more than just music. It’s about bridging generational and cultural gaps, teaching the younger generation that our heritage matters, and finding new ways to preserve it," said Mhofukadzi
Her journey has been significantly shaped by her involvement with Moto Republik.
The capacity-building workshops offered by Moto Republik, as part of the larger Great Zimbabwe Development Project supported by Unesco, have been a turning point in her career.
"The creative entrepreneurship workshops have been transformative “ Mhofukadzi said.
“They have helped me see the connections between cultural preservation and our local resources.
“I have come to understand the importance of our cultural heritage including sites such as the Great Zimbabwe National Monuments World Heritage site, I have a broader appreciation of how our history and identity, natural resources intertwine with our culture, and the role we, as artists, and young people play in preserving and celebrating that.”
Mhofukadzi’s understanding of the cultural value of the Great Zimbabwe monument led to a shift in her approach to her art.
While her passion has always been her driving force, the workshops have given her the tools to think about sustainability, value addition, and beneficiation.
For the first time, the Roots and Rhythms festival sold tickets, and made significant strides to attract partners which is a significant step toward making the event self-sustaining.
"I used to do everything purely from the heart and I thought that’s all that mattered…. But now, I’m learning to balance my passion with practicality “ Mhofukadzi said.
“These trainings coupled with support from existing established players in the industry like Tariro Ne Gitare and Magitare Africa Trust have been very instrumental in shaping creative entrepreneurship journey.
“I have learnt that more than just singing and creating, I need to focus on building something that can last, that can continue to grow without solely relying on personal funds.
“I need to benefit from my art and so does my community.”
To revitalise the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage site’s regional significance and empower its communities, Unesco has partnered with Moto Republik, the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, UNOPS and the French Development Agency to implement the “Rehabilitation and Development of the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage site” project.
The project is stimulating sustainable and inclusive tourism development of the site and its surrounding areas, thereby connecting the site with the local economy.
This is a direct answer to calls from contemporary creatives such as Vera Chisvo.
"With Unesco's support, we're not just preserving the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site; we're also empowering local creatives and fostering a sustainable arts economy in Masvingo. Artists like Mhofukadzi embody this vision," said Chisvo, programme lead Moto Republik.