Voice2Rep 2022 competition winner, Comfort Ndlovu, has released a music video for his song, Qiniso, which speaks to the 1980s Gukurahundi injustices.
Ndlovu wrote the song in the hope of encouraging healing and reconciliation among young people by facing the truth about the past.
“Voice2Rep” is a first-of-its-kind music competition searching for underground and undiscovered music artists who support greater representation, participation and accountability across Mali, Nigeria, Liberia and Zimbabwe.
It gives rising stars a platform to make their voices heard, connect with socially-conscious leaders in the music industry, and build the skills they need to shape the future of the country through music.
The song and music video was created through a partnership between Magamba Network and Accountability Lab.
“Qiniso, the song title, means ‘truth’. Ndlovu wrote the song in the hope of encouraging healing and reconciliation among young people by facing the truth of what brought us here. The song’s empowering lyrics and moving melody call for unity and understanding. The video features a diverse cast of young people, depicting the struggles of losing a loved one to genocide whilst incorporating dance to illustrate the goal of moving forward. The video was directed by Onias Mthabisi (ONVI TV), who breathed life into Ndlovu’s vision with striking visuals and emotive storytelling,” the competition organisers said in a statement.
They added that the video acknowledges Zimbabwe’s painful past, yet, encourages young people to embrace healing and understanding and implores listeners and viewers to acknowledge the past so that society can create a future that is filled with hope, positivity and empowerment.
“The song and video will be launched with a Twitter Space hosted in partnership with Open Parly where the artist and other stakeholders will discuss whether Zimbabwe can truly celebrate Independence when we haven’t acknowledged our past,” read the statement.
“Panelists will discuss Gukurahundi, how Ndebele people feel about independence and whether it is celebrated in the same way. The discussion will consider how this dark event in Zimbabwe’s past can be remembered, drawing lessons from Rwanda and how the 1994 genocide is remembered. With such a pressing and relevant message for the youth of today, Comfort’s latest release could not have come at a more crucial time.”
