Vee Mhofu shines at Mbuya Chiweshe funeral wake

PROLIFIC mbira player, Vee Mhofu, thrilled mourners at Mbuya Stella Chiweshe funeral wake on Monday night at her rural home in Nekati Village.

The versatile Dzivarembira frontman, who was mentored by the late mbira queen, oozed all his artistic verge as he paid his last tribute, ably complimented by his minepiece outfit.

He started his set by playing congas and folklore songs, much to the delight of mourners.

After wowing the crowd with folklore songs, the Duriro mbira player then shifted gears and started playing mbira on acoustic set.

He easily won hearts of many when he performed sing along songs such as Mucheka Weretso, Tsotso, Tsviva, Ndiri Wemusango, Mbereko Yangu, Tochema Nani, Chotonga Musha Idare and Zindoga.

The Bindura bred gwenyambira said it was an honour performing at Mbuya Chiweshe’s funeral wake.

“Mbuya Chiweshe remains my mentor who taught me the ropes. We share the same totem, which means a lot according to our traditional beliefs.

“I came here to perform free of charge because we are sending off a legend who loved her job,” he said.

Vee Mhofu, who has been in the game for over a decade, said he will always be grateful to the late mbira queen.

“Mbuya Chiweshe loved her culture as she stuck to her traditional beliefs, despite staying overseas for years. She never compromised her culture. She never changed her musical genre and continued practicing her culture.

“She was never forced to change her music as she continued playing mbira with distinction,” he said.

Mhofu urged fellow musicians to respect their roots and to uphold Ubuntu.

“It’s really sad when young people are shunning their roots. This is really sad since we are now adopting foreign cultures at the expense of ours,” he said.

VEE Mhofu