Nubian notes — A movement, not a moment

PATIENCE MUSA

On the night of November 8, 2025, something more than a concert will happen at the Harare International Conference Centre.

It will not just be lights, music, and applause — it will be history unfolding in melody. Nubian Notes: A Celebration of Women in Music, presented by Gateway Stream Media in partnership with ZAR Events, is more than an event.

It is a statement. A reclamation. A rhythm rising from generations of women who sang before there were microphones, who performed before there were stages, and who dreamed long before they were ever celebrated.

Dubbed “Mambokadzi – The Rise of Her Sound,” the all-female show brings together Feli Nandi, Gemma Griffiths, Tamy Moyo, Shashl, and Nisha Ts — five women, five stories, five sounds harmonising into one powerful chorus.

Together, they represent not just the present, but the continuum — a legacy echoing from the voices of Susan Chenjerai, Katarina, Busi Ncube, and all the women who carried the torch of creativity when stages were smaller, lights were dimmer, and recognition came slower.

For years, the question has lingered: Can women fill up the HICC? But that question no longer matters — in truth, it never did. The point is not the number of seats taken, but the ground broken. Whether the hall overflows or holds a thousand hearts, Nubian Notes is already a triumph. It is not about proving worth; it is about declaring presence. It is about women walking boldly into spaces that were never designed for them and claiming them — fully, fiercely, finally.

“Nubian Notes is more than a concert,” says Elton Kurima, Gateway Stream Media Manager. “It is a movement — a stage where creativity, culture, and courage meet. It’s a tribute to women who continue to redefine the world of music, unapologetically, powerfully, beautifully.”

Gemma Griffiths calls it “a long-overdue celebration.” “It’s about time we had something like this in Zimbabwe,” she says. “It feels good to be surrounded by powerful women doing their thing.” Her performance, she promises, will be raw and real — a musical offering of love, strength, and soul.

Nisha Ts echoes the heartbeat of the movement. “We are no longer waiting for permission to shine,” she says. “Every song we sing, every story we tell is proof that our voices matter.”

Tamy Moyo views Nubian Notes as a reflection of every woman’s story — soft yet strong, tender yet tenacious. “You will dance, you will feel, you might even cry,” she says. “This show is a celebration of our truth and our shared journey.”

Feli Nandi, elegant and commanding, brings her Afro-jazz magic with purpose. “It was about time,” she says. “Women have always had the talent; now we have the stage. This moment is for us, and for every woman who came before us.”

And Shashl, whose music speaks in honesty and emotion, threads the message home: “Being part of an all-female show is more than performance; it’s unity. Vulnerability is not weakness — it is art in its purest form. Through my music, I want people to feel seen, understood, and uplifted.”

Still, there is a quiet hope that lingers — that one day, the men will stand too. That the brothers in music, the male superstars who share the stage of our nation’s sound, will rise in visible support of their female counterparts. It would be something beautiful to see. Perhaps it is too soon to expect it now — but the day will come. It has been coming, and it continues to come. Slowly, surely, steadily. A movement that began decades ago continues, and its rhythm is unstoppable.

Whether they fill the HICC or not is beside the point. What matters is that they have arrived — that women are standing in the spotlight, not as guests, but as hosts of their own brilliance. What matters is that this moment continues the movement born decades ago, when Susan Mapfumo turned melody into protest, when  Busi Ncube, sang of possibility, when when Katarina aka Elizabeth Taderera embodied grace and defiance in equal measure.

“This is a night for everyone,” says Mr. Kurima. “Fans, families, the industry — all coming together to celebrate the stories told through song. The voices that will fill the HICC are unapologetic, authentic, and inspiring.”

So when the lights dim and the first note rises, remember — this is not just a concert. It is history singing. It is legacy reborn. It is the sound of women standing tall, taking up space, and writing themselves into the story of Zimbabwean music.

And whether the HICC fills to the rafters or not, one thing is certain: the room will never sound the same again.