Dennis Ndlovu
Zim GBC News| Entertainment reporter
As Zimbabwe approaches its Independence Day celebrations, the role of music in the country’s liberation struggle continues to stand out as a powerful symbol of resistance, unity and identity.
During the war of liberation, music was far more than entertainment. It became a weapon used to mobilise fighters, inspire communities and communicate messages of defiance against colonial rule.
Across the country and in exile, songs carried hope, courage and a shared sense of purpose among Zimbabweans.
Several musical groups and individuals emerged as key voices of the struggle. Among them was the Zipra Choir, which gained prominence in Zambia in 1978 after receiving the backing of the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo. The choir, known for songs such as “Kubuhlungu Emoyeni” and “Yithi Laba,” became a formidable cultural force within the liberation movement.
Members including Give Nare, Lichani Moyo and Mawuda Moyo helped shape the group’s popularity, while later contributors such as Gladys Moyo, Happiness Sibanda, Albert Nyathi and the late Solomon Skuza further strengthened its legacy.
Other influential groups included the Light Machine Gun (LMG) Choir, Impi Yesiko and the Black Umfolosi Choir, whose protest songs resonated with both freedom fighters and civilians. Black Umfolosi, later led by Sotsha Moyo, was particularly notable for its continued influence after independence.
Moyo, who joined the liberation struggle at just 14, recalled singing revolutionary songs while still a student at George Silundika Secondary School in Nyamandlovu. He later became part of Black Umfolosi, a group made up largely of young people who used music to denounce oppression and rally support for the struggle.
Individual artists also played a crucial role. Musicians such as Thomas Mapfumo, Zex Manatsa and Dickson Chingaira produced songs that became synonymous with the liberation movement. Tracks like “Tumira Vana Kuhondo,” “Nyoka Yendara,” and “Mukoma Nhongo Bereka Sabhu Tiende” inspired many to join or support the fight.
Despite operating under difficult and often dangerous conditions, these artists ensured their music reached the masses. Their compositions served as both motivation for fighters on the front lines and a unifying force for communities living through the conflict.
Even after independence, music remained a platform for expression. Artists continued to use their work to critique governance, highlight economic challenges and address human rights concerns, ensuring that the spirit of resistance lived on.
Today, the legacy of liberation music endures as a reminder that Zimbabwe’s independence was hard-won.
The songs of that era continue to echo through generations preserving history, shaping national identity and underscoring the enduring power of art in times of struggle.
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