AWARD-WINNING musician Setina Mandiveyi is ending her musical sabbatical with her fifth album aptly titled Simuka.

The album is set to be launched on 17 April 2024 at National FM radio.

Mandiveyi revealed to Zim Community News  that her break was as a result of the challenges she had faced following the death of her siblings.

In addition to that, they were difficulties in balancing her work and family commitments.

“The last few years have been really challenging.

“I had started this album in 2021, however I had to stop when I lost my two siblings.”

The ZCN Award winner is grateful that her love for music has triggered her decision to revive the album launch.

“I love music, it’s my source of strength and it’s a powerful way of expressing my self. Above all, when I sing I feel connected with other people and music brings joy.”

Mandiveyi added that her songs convey a deeper personal meaning to anyone who might be going through difficulties or challenges in life.

“I believe each and every one of us had a fall at some point, however I believe getting back on your feet is extremely important.

“It’s not that easy but need to be done. I find my strength in prayer, and I believe in prayer there’s an answer.

Songs that are  lined up for the eight-track  offering  produced by  Forward Mazuruse from Music For Development  include Gore renyasha, Zimbabwe (Featuring known group), Ndinoda Jesu, Dima, Tariro, Tenderere and Gutsikanai

She is happy with the album’s quality and its message made so far in terms of preparations for the launch.

“The main theme of the album is encouraging perseverance, determination, hope, faith and achievement.

“Special thanks go to my family, my producer who has been very patient, and all the people who have been there for me and all my fans.”

SINCE  leaving the university in 1991, The Zim Community Trailblazers Awards 2023 Distinguished Poet awardee Albert Nyathi  has had the opportunity to travel around the world mainly to do performances as a poet and entertainer.

Apart from being poet the multi-talented  Nyathi is also  a writer, actor, music producer, storyteller and philanthropist.

Countries he  has toured include Denmark, Holland, Belgium Hawaii (USA),England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Switzerland, Russia, Wales, Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Sicily (Italy), Libya, Algeria and Sweden among others.

He has also been involved in poetry writing and performance workshops in schools, colleges as well as tertiary institutions in numerous countries that include Zimbabwe, Botswana, Hawaii, Denmark and the United Kingdom.

From 1998 to date Albert has championed AIDS awareness, gender awareness,
environmental and climate change programmes, voluntary medical male circumcision,
fund-raising projects and music productions on behalf of many organisations.