Hello dear reader, we are privileged once again to get to know, celebrate and be inspired by yet another powerful and impactful woman Selmor Mtukudzi. We are grateful for the journey and are excited about the next 4 weeks. Be inspired!
Selmor Mtukudzi is a top class musician from Zimbabwe. Her musical journey started at the age of 10 when her father, the late Zimbabwean superstar Oliver Mtukudzi took her for her first studio recording for the movie soundtrack, I Am The Future. She has won numerous awards in her home country and abroad in the United States of America and nominations in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Her long awaited debut album “Shungu”, came in 2008 and it carried hits like Chiro, Iwewe Neni, Shungu and a rendition of the hit song Handiende, previously done by Steve Makoni and Oliver Mtukudzi. She went on to release 2 joint albums with her husband Tendai Manatsa titled Selmor and Tendai “Live” in 2011, which was recorded in front of a live audience at the 7 Art Theatre in Harare and “Ndinewe” (I Am With You), in 2012. Her 4th album “Expressions”, released in 2013 became an instant hit with the track “Nguva Yangu” being nominated for the NAMA Awards and the ZIMA Awards and winning the Africa Entertainment Award USA and Zimbabwe Chamber of Commerce WECA Award. In 2015 she released her 5th album titled “I Am Woman” with the track “Zvidikidiki ” winning NAMA Award, Africa Entertainment Award USA and also nominated for the ZIMA and ZIWA. Her track “Butterflies” is the sound track for the ZIFF and NAMA Awards nominated movie “Escape”, in which she played one of the leading roles. 1n 2017 & 2018 she released big hit singles “Hangasa”and “Vakanaka Vakarara” respectively. Her next album “Dehwe Renzou” came in 2020 after the passing of her father. The album was produced by her father’s long-time friend and producer, South African Saxophonist, Steve Dyer. Her follow up album came in 2021, titled Ndangwara.
In 2015, Selmor came together with 8 other leading female artists from Africa, (Judith Sephuma – South Africa, Victoria Kimani – Kenya, Vanessa Mdee – Tanzania, ArielleT -Gabon, Omotola -Nigeria, Waje – Nigeria, Yemi Alade – Nigeria and Blessing South Africa), and collaborated on a song titled “Strong Girl”, which they used to promote the campaign #PovertyIsSexist across the world asking the world leaders to tackle poverty by addressing gender equality. Later that year, they were joined by their male counterparts, (Bono – lead singer for U2 and co-Founder of ONE, D’Banj- Nigeria, Diamond Platinumz – Tanzania, Banky W – Nigeria), and did a remix of “Strong Girl” and also made a statement that man are in support of the campaign.
Selmor has toured countries like Nigeria, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania, Australia, USA, UK, Finland, Spain and Australia performing in front of different nationals. In recent time Selmor performed at the Joburg Theatre at the Remembering Tuku Concert in South Africa with Vusi Mahlasela and Steve Dyer. In 2015, Selmor was part of the Gloria Flour collaboration which toured around Zimbabwe celebrating the National Foods product. In 2017 Selmor was made the Big 5 ambassador by then Ministry of Environment in Zimbabwe to help and prevent the poaching of endangered animals. In 2018 she was appointed the WildAid ambassador, together with renowned Zimbabwean actress Danai Gurira to bring awareness to the world about the risings levels of poaching of Elephants and Rhinos. In 2019 she became the brand ambassador for Zimbabwe’s leading car rental company, Impala Rental. Later that year, she worked with Old Mutual as the judge on their program Amazing Voices which promotes the upcoming singing groups in Africa. In 2020 Selmor was part of the Econet/Sasai collaboration, The Blessing song that gave hope to people during the first Covid 19 Lockdown season. In 2021, she became the brand ambassador for Mama Money, a South African money transfer company that seeks to provide its services for the lowest rates to its customers. In 2021 she became the UNICEF influencer focused on young people’s development and HIV and AIDS prevention. She was also instrumental in the passing of the “Electrify Africa” bill in the senate and in the House in Washington DC, America in 2016. This bill states that it is US policy to partner with Sub Saharan African countries, international financial institutions and African regional economic committees, cooperatives and private sectors to promote access to power services to at least 50 million people in Sub Saharan Africa by 2020.
Selmor’s passion for uplifting and amplifying girls and women’s voices has led her to form her own trust called Vabvana Trust. She believes that when you empower a woman you empower a nation.
Please find the link to her latest song which is a collaboration with her husband to celebrate their 16th anniversary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mRYnxVuKTQ.
