Kudzai Sevenzo: Child of Africa by Thabang Manhika | 2011
In 2011, while still a wide-eyed college student fueled by curiosity and ambition, I penned my very first feature story—an in-depth profile on the remarkably talented Kudzai Sevenzo. What began as a classroom assignment soon blossomed into something far greater. The piece not only found its way into the pages of an international magazine, it graced the cover—marking a dazzling debut into the world of professional storytelling. That moment was more than just a publication; it was the birth of a media extraordinaire, the first spark of a lifelong dance with words and narratives. I have reproduced the story below, enjoy!
Six years after her first album, Kudzai Sevenzo has released a 12-track sophomore entitled Child of Afrika, done in collaboration with top Zimbabwe producers Andrew Baird and Sam Mataure. The release of this groundbreaking album has also coincided with Sevenzo's launch of her brand-new recording label. K7.
She told Rootz Africa-Zimbabwe that the album had received an overwhelming response in Zimbabwe and the rest of the Southern African region since it hit the shelves in December. "My latest offering is about Africa and about celebrating African culture, diversity and tradition. It has been inspired by my travels when I was working for Studio 53, observing our deep culture and tradition. I also wanted to express how much I have grown as an artist, songwriter and performer." the songstress said.
Child of Afrika features a soothing and calming love duet with Oliver Mtukudzi called "Pole Pole", as well as "Line in the Sand", a touching and inspirational song, which is Sevenzo's favourite piece. Sevenzo said she was in a difficult emotional space when she made "Line in the Sand", and that it was actually written by her producer "who at that time understood what I was going through emotionally".
"For me the song is personal, because things were not moving the way they were supposed to at that time. I was restless and in desperate need of change, so when Andrew Baird wrote it, he knew I was going to sing it passionately."
She explained that the long hiatus between her first album and the current one was mainly because recording companies had offered unattractive deals. "I couldn't find funding for my project and the recording labels were asking far too much. I realised they would just make money off me, so I started sourcing my own funds and managed to create my own recording label, K7. It's really a great achievement for me and I don't want to stop there," she declared sipping on her ice-cold cherry drink.
Despite the difficulties she encountered on the way to the release of Child of Afrika, this resolute songstress is undeterred. She is already working on her next project, a collaboration with South African superstar, Ringo Madhlingozi. Sevenzo says she is also at an advanced stage of planning a tour of Zimbabwe and the rest of the continent.
"I haven't been on the music scene for a long time, so there is no better way to resuscitate my career than doing shows to re-kindle the vibe with my fans," Sevenzo said.
Born in Harare, the 31 year-old is the youngest of seven (five girls and Two boys). Singing had been her only aspiration as she recalls the comment on her Garden Groove Nursery card, "Good: enjoys the singing activites very much; has been the school's lead solo singer."
Sevenzo hit the limelight after auditioning for M-Net's reality TV show, Project Fame in 2005. After failing in the penultimate stage, she released her first album On a day like this, which was nominated for the Zimbabwe Music Awards. She later won the Celebration Award and Best New Artist, as well as the Nescafe Most Inspiring Female Award in 2005.
One of the most inspirational people she recently encountered was Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, the woman. currently at the helm of Liberia in West Africa. "Meeting President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson was a really amazing moment for me. I was working for Studio 53 and had the chance to spend a day with this amazing woman. She is humble and down to earth. I can't explain the feeling," she said.
Ever adventurous and versatile, this young woman refuses to be pigeonholed as just a musician, and has branched out into motion pictures, and is cast in the lead role of a locally produced film scheduled for release later in the year. She did not reveal much about this new venture, except that "it's great"
Besides singing, she is engaged in some charity work called Kidzcan, a ward at Parirenyatwa Hospital that takes care of children suffering from cancer. She also does a Breakfast Show for a local radio station, SportFm and writes features for a local weekly newspaper.