Mare Engages Women Prisoners

Zimbabwe musician Cynthia Mare.

September 30, 2014
Cynthia Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
Zimbabwe Herald

Afro fusion diva Cynthia Mare will collaborate with female prisoners for a song that will be released next month. Mare was one of the musicians who toured prisons last week.

The musician said she wanted to visit the place for the second time and talk to the prisoners.

“I want to first have their deepest desires so that we can have a song that explores what they wish,” she said.

She said she was encouraged by the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services’ rehabilitation programme.

“They need to be supported and one way we can do that is to have songs that give courage to the prisoners,” she said.

During the tour she sampled a song “Moto Wako Ngaubvire” that gave hope to all female prisoners.

In the song the musician urged women to be courageous in whatever they do.

“I am happy that the song gave prisoners hope that as women we must be courageous despite facing challenges in life,” she said.

ZPCS chief prison officer and deputy public relations officer Pricilla Mthembo said it was a good idea for artistes to have collaborations with prisoners.

“This is so encouraging and important for ZPCS rehabilitation process and it is a positive move towards the process when artistes offer this help,” she said.

“It is also a way of imparting skills to the female prisoners and they may use the skills after their jail terms expire,” she said.

Mare will join other musicians like Leonard Zhakata and Blessing Shumba who have worked with prisoners on their albums.