ZIMBABWEAN ACHIEVERS AWARDS

Me                                                       (Kumbi Mushambi for k.lawrence Photography)

Sunday 9^th April was a night of glitz, glamour and black ties at The Zimbabwean Achievers Awards (Z.A.A) held at the Mermaid Theatre, Blackfriars, London. I went with my sister Taponeswa and my cuzzy Kanyisile aka 'Top Kosso' *smile*

Top Kosso and I                                                            (Kumbi Mushambi for k.lawrence Photography)

The purpose of this event was to celebrate  the Zimbabwean community's achievements across a broad sector of genre.

Shingai Shoniwa, stunning Universal Records songbird and front woman of indie punk band-The Noisettes, attended and raised the Zimbabwean flag high. Dressed in an all white sparkling gown, she dazzled the stage when presented with the chairman’s honour award for her ongoing success and achievements as an international performer. In her acceptance speech she encouraged us all to continue to “Scratch your name into the fabric of this world”. I love this chick!

Conrad Mwanza and Shingai Shoniwa                                             (Kumbi Mushambi for k.lawrence Photography)

Island records artist Tinashe took home the award for best video for his single ‘Zambezi’ and performed a stripped down set with the Mbira (the famous thumb piano), whilst rising star Cynthia Mare belted out her latest single, ‘Catch Me When I Fall’.

Tinashe                    (Kumbi Mushambi for k.lawrence Photography)

 Other performances included an amazing set by the highly respected soul/jazz singer/song writer, musician, producer- Eska Mtungwazi. Her collaborations include the Fela Kuti drummer- Tony Allen and the Cinematic orchestra. She blew us all away with her violin performance called ‘Rock Of Ages’. BK and Kazz never dissappoints with their performance of ‘7 Wonders’ and ‘Amina Kadeya’.

                  BK and Kazz with Shingai                                                 (Kumbi Mushambi for k.lawrence Photography)

The red carpet saw other faces: Boxer Dereck Chisora, Actress Chipo Chung amongst others that came down to raise the flag for Zimbabwe. New comer MK got the audience up on their feet, ready for the after party with his track titled ‘hands up’ from his EP ‘The break up’.

 Top Kosso's and Shingai                                               (Kumbi Mushambi for k.lawrence Photography)

Sinem (Editor of fab mag) & I                                            ( Kumbi Mushambi for k.lawrence Photography)

Despite a few technical hiccups with microphones and powerpoint slides, it's a job well done for Conrad Mwanza and the rest of the Z.A.A team. It was a refreshing event that goes against the negative press that Zimbabwe have seen over the past decade, and it looks as though only more good things are to come.

Love x