Hope Masike to Release Poem Video Ndimutsewo Zvakanaka
Celebrated mbira musician and author Hope Masike is set to premiere a new video adaptation of one of her Shona erotic poems, “Ndimutsewo Zvakanaka”, on 30 September 2025.
The production, directed by Jonathan Samkange of Dream Hous Productions, brings to life a poem from Masike’s acclaimed anthology “Dzevabvazera”, published in 2022. Known for blending music, literature and performance, Masike has described the work as part of her ongoing effort to challenge taboos around sensuality and the Black female body in Zimbabwean society.
A convergence of art forms
The poem, performed from a female perspective, mixes playful humour with suggestive undertones. Masike says the piece explores intimacy and subtle negotiations between partners, aiming to encourage “doing it right.”
In the upcoming video, she extends her artistry beyond words, creating what she calls a “transdisciplinary convergence” of poetry, music and visual storytelling.
“The work seeks to decriminalise how the Black body, particularly the woman’s, has been historically fetishised and debased,” she explained. “Through poetry and song, I want to reclaim and decolonise flesh, and highlight the fulfilment black women can find in ownership of their own narratives.”
Shona language at the core
“Ndimutsewo Zvakanaka” is delivered entirely in Shona, with intensity building verse by verse until a climactic crescendo. Masike believes the choice of language strengthens both its cultural resonance and its emancipatory power.
The video will also mark the start of a national reading tour, taking Masike across six provinces before the end of the year.
About Dzevabvazera
Masike’s 2022 anthology Dzevabvazera, published by House of Books in Harare, is a collection of Shona erotic poems with accompanying English explanations. The work examines love and sexuality within Shona culture, breaking ground as one of the few openly erotic literary collections in Zimbabwe.
A cultural custodian
Widely regarded as one of Zimbabwe’s leading mbira musicians, Masike is also a songwriter, poet, teacher and arts administrator. She has released four albums and four books, toured internationally, and sits on the boards of both the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and Alliance Française de Harare.
Her music and writing continue to position her at the intersection of tradition and innovation, while her latest project further cements her reputation as a cultural voice pushing boundaries through art.
