For prisoners serving sentences and those awaiting case finalization at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, was a day filled with music and interaction with artistes and soccer legends who delivered powerful messages of hope and resilience.
“If music be the food of love, play on,” wrote William Shakespeare in Twelfth Night, a line that resonates deeply in today’s world, where music is increasingly celebrated not just as art but as therapy.
By Dickson Bandera
Across various settings—hospitals, rehabilitation centers, prisons, and schools—music has shown a remarkable ability to soothe, heal, and provide a sense of solace.
It has become a powerful tool that helps people navigate their darkest moments, fostering connection and resilience when words may fail.
Chikurubi Maximum Prison, a high-security Zimbabwean prison, houses 3,071 inmates convicted of serious crimes, from murder to armed robbery who are serving long-term and life sentences. The prison also has a Psychiatric Unit currently holding 351 inmates.
These inmates had a unique opportunity to interact with some of Zimbabwe’s renowned musicians and soccer legends, invited by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) to share messages of encouragement.
This visit was part of a correctional program aimed at transforming inmates into better citizens, a role believed to be effectively fulfilled by influential public figures.
The artists and soccer stars inspired inmates through music and heartfelt messages, hoping that their presence would instill hope, strengthen resolve, and encourage personal growth for the inmates.
Among the artistes were Seh Calaz, Simon Mutambi, Empress Masina, Mbeu Jah Prayzah, Dadza D, Chris B, Kessia Masona, Mathias Mhere, Vafambi Pakutenda, John Muroyi, Pondo and Memory Chinamasa.”
Former international soccer player Justice Majabvi led a group of soccer legends who motivated the inmates with stories of resilience and determination.
Seh Calaz, who calls himself Mubhanditi (an inmate), urged the inmates to embrace personal reform and focus on self-improvement. He also commended ZPCS for the invitation, saying:
“I want to thank ZPCS for inviting us and for taking care of the inmates. What remains important is that the inmates reform and become good citizens.”
Cobra Kings frontman, Simon Mutambi, was especially popular with the prisoners, who erupted with excitement at his appearance. Some inmates sang along to his songs, thrilled to see him perform live. Mutambi encouraged them to work toward becoming positive citizens upon release, saying:
“Prisoners are the same fans who support us outside, so there’s every reason to stand with them. I encourage them to work toward becoming productive citizens who can contribute to society once released.”
Jah Signal, who was also warmly welcomed, promised to soon create music addressing the experiences of prisoners. He performed his fans’ favorite gospel track, Bvisai Dombo Mumoyo Mangu, a song that deeply resonated with the inmates.
Jah Prayzah engaged in personal conversations with some inmates, offering them hope and encouraging them to stay united and serve with optimism.
“We all make wrong actions in life, but what’s important is that when we are corrected, we reform. My prayer is that when you leave, you do not return here.”
“May God bless you, pray for each other, be united, be empathetic, and care for each other,” he added.
He then performed Batai Machinda, Jeri Rinopera, with the inmates enthusiastically joining in.
Other artists, including Dadza D, Mathias Mhere, Empress Masina and the youthful dancehall wizkid Pondo, also received warm receptions and shared memorable moments. Their message was consistent: Be hopeful, reform, and return to society as a changed person.
The artists also visited sections of the prison housing inmates with mental health challenges, many in rehabilitation for drug-related offenses.
Inmates performed songs of hope through their prison choirs, showcasing a wealth of talent behind prison walls. In separate interviews, they commonly expressed a desire for support in promoting their talents, with aspiring musicians seeking assistance from the artists to record their work.
There is enough evidence that talent and creativity can flourish anywhere, given the right support and encouragement.
Jail itself has often been a place where musical talents continue to flourish and impactful songs are created. The late legendary musician Paul Matavire, for instance, released a hit song “Back from College” in 1991 and “Joke of the Year” after serving a jail term on rape charges. On his final albums, Matavire collaborated with South African musician Freddy Gwala, whose Kwaito and Zumba” music was also inspired by his own 8 year jail term where he was incarcerated for car theft.
Similarly, Simon Chimbetu released the album Pachipamwe in 1995 after his release from prison, drawing from his prison experiences to create music that connected deeply with listeners.
As the musicians departed Chikurubi Maximum Prison at the conclusion of the tour, inmates requested that other popular Zimbabwean artists, such as Winky D and Alick Macheso, be invited to future events.
Musicians are expected to perform again on the Prison Day Celebration scheduled for November 16, 2024.
Zimbabwe has 46 prisons, of which two are exclusively for female prisoners (Chikurubi Female and Shurugwi), with 17 exclusively for male prisoners. Twenty-seven accommodate both males and females. Additionally, there are 24 satellite (temporary) prisons and one open prison. In an effort to guarantee food security, ZPCS operates 24 farms, with 3,437 hectares of arable land where crop faming and animal husbandry is being practiced.
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Founder of earGROUND, Jibilika and Amplifaya Festival. Creative entrepreneur, cultural producer, award-winning journalist, arts community champion with two decades of dedicated experience.
