Magitare Live At The Oasis.
Magitare Live is an offshoot of the Acoustic night. It promotes young creatives of different disciplines e.g. musicians, poets, comedians, speakers by giving them a space to come together to perform. It is hosted at the Oasis in Bulawayo by Tariro neGitare.
The show first started in Harare and has recently moved to Bulawayo. In partnership with The Oasis, their mission is to reach out, capture, and celebrate all the creatives in Zimbabwe.
Magitare Live’s vision for 2022 is to build a creative ecosystem where artists can grow and feed on each other.
Recently, Magitare Live hosted Real Shona, Mimmie Tarukwana, Ashely, Pride, Thandoe, and Thanya. The Oasis had a chance to interview each of the artists.
Real Shona
Real Shona is an urban new age musician, songwriter, performing artist, and visionary based in Bulawayo.
Born in Mutare, Real Shona says his stage name comes from embracing his background and being proud of his ethnic group ‘the Shona people.’
What are your goals for 2022?
“This year, I am looking forward to dropping two singles, focusing on doing more shows and performances, and becoming a businessman.”
How did you enjoy the show?
“It’s nice what Tariro has here, The Oasis has a dope studio, and if I was to be asked to return I am coming back.’
What advice would you give to young artists?
…dream big, aim high, and believe in yourselves.
Mimmie Tarukwana
Majoring in soul RnB, Mubanga Natasha Tarukwana aka Mimmie is a singer, songwriter, now actress, and part-time model.
She released her first solo EP in February 2021 called ‘They love Mimmie’ but she’s still part of her Jazz band called ‘The Outfit.’
How does your band feel about you being a solo artist?
“It’s always been my dream to be an artist on my own… my band has been very supportive they have been helping with my music.”
How did you enjoy the show?
‘At first, I was nervous because it’s been a while since I’ve been interviewed, but Tariro just made me so comfortable and welcome’
What are your goals for 2022?
One of my long-term goals is to create safe spaces for the young artists. I feel like upcoming artists need to be protected.
I was not protected when I first started in the industry… I want to create a safe environment where people can record their music and learn how to be sound engineers.”
Mimmie says she has dedicated herself to learning media tricks every year so that when the time comes to open her centre she knows what type of people to employ. Last year she learned sound engineering.
Pride Mhlanga
Pride Mhlanga AKA Majoer Prodi is a performing artist and holder of 2021 ZimStars Awards Best House / Dance artist.
His art started back in the day when he was still part of Chipawu – a non-governmental organisation focused on programs that benefit and empower Zimbabwean children through participatory arts education.
How did you enjoy the show?
“Magitare live is a great initiative, it’s not one of those that you get every day it’s growth.”
“Just being here feels like an awesome thing to me, it changes a lot in my life…I’m not at my peak yet but I’m learning a lot and meeting a lot of different people, learning things I haven’t experienced before and that shows how much I’m growing through the art.”
What are your goals for 2022?
“2022, I am pushing Wena Wensundu all day long. People have to listen to that music; people have to get hold of that music…we are also planning on having a cinematic concert for it”
Tell us about that album?
“Wena Wensundu is a very diverse album, it doesn’t have one genre, it’s like crossing borders without going anywhere…also the title itself defines me, who I am as an African child”
The album has five regional and international collaborations with artists Jessy Cullmann from Germany, Bella Layne from DRC, Juma from Malawi, D Ukingo from Tanzania, and Nelly from South Africa.
What advice would you give to young artists?
It’s a jungle out there… talent is not enough you need people who know people, and you need people who know the business.
Learn music business but engage with people who do music business.’
Thandoe
Thandoe’s birth name is Thandokuhle Sibanda, she is an award-winning poet born and raised in Bulawayo.
She was poetry slam champion twice in one year namely Larfarge poetry slam and Intwasa poetry slam in 2018. She launched an anthology called ‘One Day to The Next’ to inspire and address societal issues that people encounter.
How do you feel about the show?
‘I haven’t done anything of this nature before, when I got the invitation I was excited because Tari has done quite well for herself and to be able to do something like this with her is a big deal. Also, I like that she’s featuring poets. Poetry isn’t a much-realised form of art so being given the same platform like other artists is great.’
What are your goals for 2022?
“This year is about growing my brand as a poet and also tapping into other spheres of art. I’m looking on expanding in terms of doing visuals and I’m looking forward to more collaboration in terms of dance.”
What advice would you give to young artists?
Don’t be too hard on yourself, don’t compare yourself to other people, your progress is not going be the same.
“Also, don’t be too lazy, Zimbabwe situation can give you a lot of excuses to not do a certain thing but don’t be that person.”
Michelle Thanya
Michelle Thanya Moyo, popularly known as Michelle Thanya is a Bulawayo based poet, writer, theatre enthusiast, and Music manager in training.
Michelle won the Intwasa Extra Arts Festival as the youngest poet there, runner up in the Intwasa arts slams for two years, and second place in group poetry in the 100 girls 100 voices initiative. She acted in a short film called ‘Date Night.’
How do you feel about the show?
“I’m quite honoured to be in a room with Tari… she’s teaching us how to be better creatives by not only focusing on poetry but also recording and producing content.”
What are your goals for 2022?
“This year, I want to research more on creating content for my podcast ‘Thanya two cents’ and be more consistent in releasing poetry content.”
What advice would you give to younger artists?
Keep trying, step out of your comfort zone…I don’t think you will ever be recognised for doing nothing…
“The biggest thing is to try, at least die trying.”
Ashely Nkiwane
Ashely Nkiwane is a singer and songwriter, who has a great interest in Visual Art.
She was part of the top five finalists in the Art of Health Music Competition.
In 2016, Ashely moved to Zimbabwe from South Africa after the tragic passing of her dad. She says the people of Zimbabwe seemed to love singing a lot and she wanted to try that out. That’s when she realized she had singing talent.
Ashely featured in the late Alex Granger’s song ‘I Wanna Be With You’
How do you feel about the show?
“Being part of the Magitare Live cast and being interviewed professionally was a whole new experience but I had fun…Tari is a wonderful person, this is my third time meeting her… so far I love her”
What are your goals for 2022?
“I haven’t been recording much so I am hoping to do more recording and partake in live shows this year.”
The future is bright for Magitare Live and other such initiatives. The Oasis is delighted to pursue and nurture such collaborations. To see the establishing of such platforms that will celebrate local talent and encourage young artists towards reaching their potential and monetising their talent in meaningful and sustainable ways.