Pabodzi Curators compile list of Zim's 100 greatest songs as country turns 40

Pabodzi Curators is a group of young cultural researchers and archivists tracking and documenting the creative narrative. The group comprises Edward Kararira (SA), Tawanda Kajawu (UK), Tamika Manyoni (Zimbabwe), Plot Mhako (Germany), Marshall Shonhai (Zimbabwe), Ngqabutho Boaz Gumede, (UK) Norman Mafuratidze (SA) and Innocent Tinashe Mutero (SA).

The list dates back to the late 1950s and features genres like jazz, dancehall, dendera, gospel, sungura, jiti and Afro-soul.

“We celebrate this milestone at a point where the nation is experiencing a multilayered crisis, geopolitical vulnerability, and exposure,” Pabodzi Curators said. “To compound this, the world is walking a novel path through its worst turmoil ever. Despite our present circumstances, social and political differences, it is imperative to remember that this, our nation, will always be a beautiful nation with amazing people blessed with vast resources.

“In the past four decades, we have had some great memories. It is against this background and in that spirit that we take you on a one way, the first-class ticket back in time on a journey which précises our rich and unmatched musical history with 100 of Zimbabwe's Greatest Songs of the last 40 years."

Below are Pabodzi Curators' 'Zimbabwe’s 100 Greatest Songs' in alphabetical order:

1. ‘Sounds of the Motherland’ – A Peace of Ebony
2. ‘Pamuchato waTobias’ – Admire Kasenga & Ngosimbi Crew
3. ‘Senzenina’ – Albert Nyati
4. ‘Shaina’ – Alexio Kawara
5. ‘Mundikumbuke’ – Alick Macheso
6. ‘Mapurisa’ – Andy Brown
7. ‘Kanyama Karipi’ – Assegai Crew
8. ‘Skokiaan’ – August Musarurwa
9. ‘Jit Jive’ – Bhundu Boys
10. 'Simbimbino' – Bhundu Boys
11. ‘Rudo Ndimandivhaidze’ – Biggie Zhanje 
12. ‘Unity’ – Black Umfolosi
13. ‘Chabuda Hapana’ – Bob Nyabinde
14. ‘True Love’ – Busi Ncube & Ilanga
15. ‘Tombofara’ – Calvin Gudu & Muzi Mangena
16. ‘Vanhu vemuAfrica’ – Chinx Chingaira
17. ‘Samson’ – Cephas Mashakada
18. ‘Mhinduro Iripo’ – Charles Charamba
19. ‘Mai’ – Chiwoniso Maraire
20. ‘Nesango’ – Clive Malunga
21. ‘Bhulugwe Lami’ – Cool Crooners
22. ‘Shosholoza’ – Don Gumbo & Ilanga
23. ‘Asila Mali’ – Edwin Hama
24. ‘Mugariro’ – Ephat Mujuru
25. ‘Imali’ – Fanyana Dube
26. ‘Wangu Ndega’ – Fortune Muparutsa
27. ‘Ngoma Kurira’ – Frontline Kids
28. ‘Chiramwiwa’ – Gakamoto Jumbo Stars
29. ‘Amai Vangu’ – George Pada
30. ‘Vakomana Vekwedu’ – Giraffe
31. ‘Amai’ – Guess
32. ‘In My Dreams’ – Innocent Utsiwegota, Malvin S and Major E
33. ‘Uthando Khuwe’ – Isaac Chirwa
34. ‘Jerusarema’ – Jah Prayzah
35. ‘Kurwizi’ – Jamal ft. Betty Makaya
36. ‘Jemedza’ – James Chimombe
37. ‘BP’ – Jazz Invitation
38. ‘Emarabini’ – Jeys Marabini
39. ‘Mudiwa Janet’ – John Chibadura
40. ‘Solo naMutsai’ – Jonah Moyo & Devera Ngwena Jazz Band
41. ‘Sabhuku’ – Jonah Sithole
42. ‘Musango Ndodzungaira’ – Kenneth Chigodora
43. ‘Mabhawuwa’ – Khiama Boys
44. ‘I Salute You’ – King Pinn
45. ‘Chikwari/Rega Kusaririra’ – Lameck Moyo & Amabhubesi
46. ‘Maidei’ – Leonard Mapfumo ft. ExQ & Kevi
47. ‘Vhenenzia’ – Leonard Dembo
48. ‘Chitekete’ – Leonard Dembo & Barura Express
49. ‘Hupenyu Mutoro’ – Leonard Zhakata
50. ‘Mugove’ – Leonard Zhakata
51. ‘Emoyeni’ – LMG Choir
52. ‘Umoya Wami’ – Lovemore Majaivana
53. ‘Rudo Moto’ – Marshall Munhumumwe & Four Brothers
54. ‘Pamuhacha’ – Mateo
55. ‘Ndoenda Kwambuya’ – Mbira Dzenharira
56. ‘Ndega Munzira’ – Mbuya Madhuve
57. ‘Makorokoto’ – Mechanic Manyeruke & The Puritans
58. ‘Come to me (Hapana Mazwi)’ – Michael Lannas & Talking Drum
59. ‘Huya Titambe’ – Mopo & ZINAWA
60. ‘Phenduka’ – Ndolwane Supersounds
61. ‘Chati Huwi’ – Newman Chipeni
62. ‘Nyaradzo’ – Ngwenya Brothers
63. ‘Mudiwa Wangu’ – Nicholas Somerai
64. ‘Mabvi neMagokora’ – Nicholas Zakaria & Khiama Boys
65. ‘Tozeza Baba’ – Oliver Mtukudzi & The Black Spirits
66. ‘Neria’ – Oliver Mtukudzi & The Black Spirits
67. ‘Wapenga Nayo Bonus’ – Patrick Mkwamba & The Four Brothers
68. ‘Tanga Wandida’ – Paul Matavire & Jairos Jiri Band
69. ‘Murambinda’ – Paul Mpofu & Zambuko Band
70. ‘Tsaona’ – Pengaudzoke
71. ‘Ruva Rangu’ – Pied Pipers
72. ‘Kumusha’ – Prince Tendai & Mitchel Jambo
73. ‘Character’ – Prince Tendai Mpfurutsa
74. ‘Tina’ – R&K African Sounds
75. ‘Chidzoka’ – Roki
76. ‘Everybody is Free’ – Rozala Miller
77. ‘KwaHunyani’ – Safirio Madzikatire
78. ‘Kufa Kwangu’ – Sekuru Gora
79. ‘Mirira Mangwanani’ – Shingisai Suluma
80. ‘Nditorei’ – Shuvai Utawunashe & Family Singers
81. ‘Samatenga’ – Simon Chimbetu & Dendera Kings
82. ‘Mwana Wedangwe’ – Simon Chimbetu & Marxist Brothers
83. ‘Banolila’ – Solomon Skuza
84. ‘Love and Scandals’ – Solomon Skuza
85. ‘Chava Chimurenga’ – Stella Chiweshe
86. ‘Zvachanyona’ – Steve Makoni
87. ‘Handitambwe Iyoyo’ – Susan Mapfumo
88. ‘Anodyiwa Haataure’ – System Tazvida & Chazezesa Challengers
89. ‘Furuwa’ – Tairosi Tendaupenyu
90. ‘Wake’ – Tanga WekwaSando
91. ‘Meet Me in Zimbabwe’ – Temba Ndlovu
92. ‘MaDhebhura’ – Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited
93. ‘Vanhu Vatema’ – Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited
94. ‘Naye’ – Tongai Moyo & Utakataka Express
95. ‘Ndochi’ – TP Nyekese (Papa Jose)
96. ‘Ma Bus Driver’Vari – Various Artists
97. ‘Ngirozi’ – Winky D ft. Vabati VaJehovah
98. ‘Chipo Chiroorwa’ – Zexie Manatsa & The Green Arrows
99. ‘Gomo Ramasare’ – Zig Zag Band
100. ‘Vimbiso’ – Cha Cha Cha Kings