Masiziva Mundau set to ignite NdaFA

BY SHARRON MYAMBO

TOURISTS to this year’s Ndau Festival of the Arts that will take place on 26 September 2026 at Paiyapo Arts Development & Heritage Centre, Bangira Village in Chipinge, Zimbabwe can look forward to an electrifying performance from rooted artiste Masiziva Mundau, whose unique blend of traditional and contemporary sounds has been captivating audiences across southern Africa.

The 2026 edition of cultural tourism Ndau Festival of the Arts shall run under the theme: “Ndau Creative Unplugged: Local artistes, writers, and performers pushing boundaries in cultural and economic empowerment.”

Born Nyaradzo Muronzi forty-one years ago at Chikore Mission in Zimbabwe, Masiziva Mundau is a seasoned mbira player, dancer, songwriter, storyteller and tailor now makes her home in Chipinge town. She grew up in Muchakagara Village and attended Chinaa Primary School and Chinaa High School, where her passion for the arts first took root during her primary school years.

It was there that she took part in a traditional dance called Mutshongoyo, and she also excelled in music, sport and the various Ndau cultural activities that take place annually in the region.

Masiziva began playing the mbira at the tender age of sixteen, initially just for fun. It was only later, after receiving encouragement through social media, that she decided to visit a studio and begin recording professionally.

In 2024, she released her debut single, Tiashire, supported by an outfit that she assembled called The Culture Defenders Band. The track fused traditional rhythms with modern electronic sounds, and with this outfit, Masiziva has been preserving, promoting and celebrating the country’s rich cultural heritage through music, dance and artistic performance. The band combines traditional rhythms with contemporary beats to create a sound that appeals to audiences across generations.

Drawing inspiration from early mbira icons such as the late Mbuya Stella Chiweshe, the late Chiwoniso Maraire and the group Mbira Dzenharira, Masiziva and her band have developed a distinctive style centred on honest storytelling and an infectious groove.

The release of Tiashire in 2024 propelled her to greater heights, leading to performances at major venues in South Africa. She also graced the stage at the 2025 edition of the Ndau Festival of the Arts, where she left a lasting impression on festival-goers.

Masiziva Mundau’s latest project, a seven-track album titled Ndaramo Yakatsonga, was released in December 2025 and portrays themes of cultural identity and resilience. Masiziva continues to expand her sonic footprint, with new material already slated for release later this year.

Fans can find her music on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and more than one hundred other online music stores. For bookings, her management team can be reached on Zimbabwean numbers +263 779 818 714 and +263 773 597 387, or on the South African number +27 792 783 124.

Enquiries can also be sent via email to nyarahmasi@gmail.com. Masiziva is active on social media under the handles @masizivamundau on Facebook and Instagram, and @masisivamundau on TikTok.