The Sunday News
Rumbidzai Mbewe, Sunday Life
WHILE celebrated mbira queen Hope Masike has been hogging the limelight over her nomination for a Kora award, songbird Pamhidzai Mbirimi popularly known as Pah Chihera, has been silently celebrating her nomination.
Both musicians were nominated in different categories. Now the question is will they bring anything home?
This year’s edition of the Kora awards will be held in Windhoek, Namibia on 20 March. Winners will be presented with Kora plaques, as well as cash prizes ranging from $20 000 to $1 000 000.
In an interview, Pah Chihera who is nominated for the Best female Artistes in Southern Africa category said she was excited to have been selected among some of the biggest African names. She said being nominated for the awards was a big deal for her.
“I was quite shocked when I was told I am one of the nominees for the Kora awards. It’s not that I do not trust myself but I have been in the music industry for a short time and my music is being recognised at such levels,” she said.
The Runonzi Rudo hit maker said such recognition made her realise that her music is not only appreciated in the country but in Africa as a whole. She said this was an achievement that will push her to work harder.
“I want to thank my fans and everyone who is rallying behind me for the support. I am very excited that I am being nominated for the Kora awards after big names such as Oliver Mtukudzi. For me to bring the award home people have to vote and so I rely on you to make my country proud,” she said.
Besides being nominated for the Kora Award, Pah Chihera has a new album out and one of the songs Ukandisiya is rocking the airwaves. She said she will be doing more collaborations this year and people should expect mind blowing music from her this year.
“I will be working with a lot of artistes this year so all those who follow me should look forward to more great music from me.
I hope my music will continue soothing those hearts and making those in love fall in love even more,” said Pah Chihera.
She said her music was inspired by things that happen to people on a daily basis. She said the song Musavadadire varume venyu selected for the Kora awards was inspired by what some of her friends and relatives have gone through.
“My songs are more of social commentary. It is wise for me as a female artiste to be encouraging my fellow women to treat their men in a respectable manner. A lot has been sung about women so I had to take this opportunity to advise women as well,” she said.
Some time back, a video of her apologising to her boyfriend circulated on social media. Responding to this, Pah Chihera said she was just like any other human being and so she could not be exempted from such things.
“I am not comfortable talking about this but me being a celebrity does not mean I do not experience such things. I am a human being and so what happened is just something normal that could happen to any other person,” said Pah Chihera.
