The third edition of the Music Africa Connect Showcase transformed the British Council in Harare into an intimate celebration of homegrown creativity on Sunday, as audiences were treated to an evening where fresh talent, collaboration and cultural expression took centre stage.
Hosted by Sofar Sounds Harare and curated by Khumbulani Mleya, the showcase featured artists who had shared only two days of rehearsals before stepping onto the stage. Despite the limited preparation time, the ensemble delivered a polished performance that reflected a remarkable chemistry, guided by veteran artist manager Hillary Mutake, popularly known as Punchline.
Afro-fusion musician Agga Nyabinde opened the show on lead vocals, accompanied by the rest of the cohort. The moment his fingers struck the opening guitar chords, the atmosphere shifted as spectators embraced the rhythm against the backdrop of a glowing sunset. His lively stage presence quickly drew the crowd into a party mood, setting an energetic tone for the performances that followed. His effortless interaction with fellow musicians reflected the spirit of collaboration that defines the Music Africa Connect programme, while his blend of contemporary Afro-fusion sounds and evocative storytelling earned a warm applause and an audience sing-along throughout his set. Among the songs he performed was Handikundike, a standout moment that left the audience swaying long after the final note.
Bulawayo-born mbira artist Sahii followed with a captivating performance built entirely around the traditional mbira and percussion, deliberately leaving aside modern electronic instruments. Her set demonstrated the enduring power of indigenous music, weaving rich melodies that held the audience’s attention through every composition, four pieces in total that traced a quiet arc from reflection to celebration.
Speaking after the showcase, Sahii reflected on the musicians who continue to influence her artistic path, paying tribute to Zimbabwe’s celebrated female mbira pioneers.
“I have a lot of them. The late Chiwoniso Maraire, Mbuya Stella Chiweshe, Mary Anibal and Hope Masike. The fact that they are ladies inspires me big time. I don’t have one particular icon,” she said.
She added that collaborating with fellow Zimbabwean musicians remains one of her ambitions.
“In Zimbabwe, one person I would love to share a stage with is Jah Prayzah. I also admire Feli Nandi. She’s amazing,” she said.
Currently based in Botswana, Sahii acknowledged that local audiences may have to wait before watching her perform again in Zimbabwe. Even so, her appearance at the showcase offered a glimpse of an artist committed to preserving Zimbabwe’s musical heritage while exploring new creative possibilities across borders.
The show was wrapped up with an emotional performance by Godfrey Chirawu, better known as Mwendamberi, whose commanding vocals created one of the night’s most memorable moments. His stirring delivery moved the audience deeply, bringing the showcase to a fitting close.
Behind the scenes, much of the evening’s success reflected the leadership of Mutake, who together with the musicians met for the first time and moulded them into a cohesive ensemble within just two days. Rather than appearing as individual performers sharing a stage, they performed with the confidence and unity of a long-established band.
Mutake is one of Zimbabwe’s most experienced music executives, having founded Punchline Entertainment in 2008. Over nearly two decades, he has played a significant role in developing local talent, managing artists including Freeman HKD, Lady Squanda, Oskid The Producer and currently Jah Signal, while also expanding into events management and youth entrepreneurship.
Earlier this year, he joined the prestigious Music Connect Africa 2026 cohort, where he was appointed to lead Group One comprising artists Mwendamberi, Sahii, Agga Nyabinde and producer Puro The Best. Under his direction, the collective has also produced a collaborative extended play titled Zvikomborero, showcasing the diversity of contemporary African music.
Music Connect Africa is a music accelerator and incubation programme supported by the British Council and the Embassy of Switzerland in Zimbabwe. The initiative equips independent musicians, producers and artist managers with professional mentorship, business development skills, publishing knowledge, marketing expertise and opportunities to access international markets through partnerships with industry professionals from Africa and the United Kingdom.
The live showcase serves as the culmination of the programme, giving participants an opportunity to present their work before industry stakeholders and music lovers. Following the success of previous editions, including last year’s programme delivered by Kay Media Africa in partnership with UK-based Reprezent Radio, this year’s event once again demonstrated the depth of Zimbabwe’s emerging musical talent.
As the final applause faded and conversations continued long after the performances had ended, the showcase left audiences with a sense that they had witnessed only the beginning of exciting artistic journeys. For those who missed the event, the next Music Africa Connect Showcase promises another opportunity to experience the country’s rising voices before they reach even bigger stages.
