Zim: Sungura legend Alick Macheso drops 12th album

The release will coincide with his 54th birthday celebrations, and will also mark the 24th anniversary of Macheso’s band, Orchestra Mberikwazvo.

The six-track offering was recorded at Alema Studios in Chitungwiza with the veteran singer holding a mini-launch at Rainbow Towers in Harare. Another launch will be held at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex on 10 June where Macheso will perform alongside fellow artists Leonard Zhakata, Suluman Chimbetu, Selmor Mtukudzi and Freeman.

Tinosvitswa Nashe is available for streaming and download on various digital platforms. It features songs such as ‘Makazvinzwepi’, ‘Kutadzirana’ and ‘Nzendo’. The project was co-produced by Macheso, Bothwell Nyamhondera and Arron Tom.

“It is one of the initiatives we thought of and decided to do, moving with trends and trying to re-brand the artist and his band,” Mecheso’s publicist Tich Makahamadze told local media on 9 June. “We have noticed that we have some of our fans who can’t make it tomorrow to the launch, hence this dinner [at Rainbow Towers] is for them.

“The proceeds raised will go towards the welfare of the band among other needs. What people don’t know is that besides Macheso being a big brand, there are some philanthropic works he is also doing like taking care of several families and the less privileged.”

Macheso’s last single release was ‘Zuro Ndizuro’ in 2020. Before that, he released the album Dzinosvitsa Kure in 2018.

He was born in Shamva, central Zimbabwe, and sings in Shona, Chichewa, Sena, Venda and Lingala. He grew up on the farms and left for the capital Harare at the invitation of fellow singer and relative Nicholas Zacharia, who had been impressed with his guitar skills. The two embarked on a musical journey and joined several bands, mostly sungura outfits.

In 1997, Macheso broke ranks with Zacharia to form his own Orchestra Mberikwazvo. He is well known throughout southern Africa as one of the region’s most prolific singers and is ranked amongst the top bass guitarists on the continent.

Tickets to the album launch are available at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.