Diana Samkange to release ‘prophecy inspired’ DVD album
By Tinashe Sibanda | Nehanda Showbiz |
Songwriter and singer, Diana Samkange, aka Mangwenya, is expected to launch a DVD album, Kwayedza, that was recently released online on her return to Zimbabwe from a European Tour early next month.
Kwayedza was made available to her fans for a free 24 hours on 12 August before it went on sale on iTunes the following day.
“We are certainly looking forward to the DVD album release when Diana returns to Zimbabwe and makes her available in person for this event,” said Blessing Chimhowa of Mangwenya Music.
Chimhowa told Nehanda Radio that the musician would be back in the country any day after 7 October.
In her latest offering which has been described as “prophecy inspired”, Mangwenya tackles issues concerning the various challenges ordinary Zimbabwe citizens face while urging hope for a brighter future.
Kwayedza is a rich lyrical contemporary traditional 8-track album with inspirational songs such as the headline track, Kwayedza, which comes together with Rugare, Chokwadi Mauri, Arimandiri and Mationesa which was pre-released earlier in the year with a video that is currently doing the rounds.
Her music digs deep to reveal reflections and emotions of the current Zimbabwean season.
Samkange, who resides in Harare, has been around for a while, having kicked off a musical career with the Urban Grooves group, 2BG before receiving vocal tutorials and grooming into a solo career by the legendary Zimbabwean Afro-Jazz musician Tanga wekwa Sando.
Her solo career became a great success as she stole the hearts of many with her talent and has to date released four albums.
She has worked with an array of talented local producers like Clive Mono Mukundu, Munya Vialy, Jairosi Hambahamba, Russo, Mac Dee, Oskid and the late TBA The PlayBoy.
Mangwenya performed at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) 2014, is a three award nominee at the Pachedu awards and a two time nominee for the Zima Awards in 2016 for the Best traditional music award.
She toured the United Kingdom in late 2015, performing in various cities such as Birmingham, Dunstable, Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds.
The talented professional mbira player and songbird returned to the United Kingdom in May this year for festivals such as the Sheffield Festival, Afro Fest, Love Zimbabwe fundraising in Wales, More Fayah Festival (Slough, London), Drums in the Woods.
Mangwenya has a sensitive side as she does local charity work for a number of children’s homes and retirement centres in Harare, and has recently applied to be a Zimbabwe Red Cross volunteer.
She is also a professional spiritual counsellor and comes from a family with a strong musical background. Nehanda Radio
