Lifestyle
Across Zimbabwe, British scones are the taste of home
HARARE – A sweet doughy treat from Britain has become a beloved part of Zimbabwe’s national cuisine, where despite the country’s colonial past, mothers and chefs alike now claim the pastry as their own.
The scone, which Brits normally enjoy with afternoon tea, is ubiquitous in Harare, the southern African country’s capital.
A breakfast favourite in these parts, it can be found everywhere from high-end eateries to the market stalls of impoverished townships.
“We love scones. They are not British, they are ours, our local scones,” Nyari Mashayamombe, a rights activist, says as she leaves an upmarket restaurant in Harare’s Belgravia district, its garden dotted with open umbrellas
Dense yet airy, Zimbabwean scones are the result of the intercultural mix that came with colonisation, says Mashayamombe, a red-haired 42-year-old who is also a singer and media personality.
In “fancy places like here… a beautiful scone goes as high as six bucks,” she said, referring to the American dollars that have become Zimbabwe’s parallel and preferred currency.
“It’s worth it.”
A few kilometres away at a market in Harare’s oldest township of Mbare, scones are impossible to find after midday.
“We sold them all this morning. They move quickly,” one vendor says.
The main communal bakery in Mbare, a bustling working-class district, opens at dawn.
Tawanda Mutyakureva, 26, arrives at around five in the morning to his work station, measuring two square metres, where he has to bend over to spread the dough on a knee-height countertop.
Every day he cranks out around 200 scones in an overheated room with cinder-block walls, lit by two bulbs hanging from a wire.
Brandishing a cookie cutter, he works quickly to whip out one batch after another, with each scone selling for 25 American cents.
In the hot, humid atmosphere redolent of yeast, his wife – with their baby strapped to her back – helps him with buttering the pastries and clearing plates.
Resellers come in to buy 10 or 20 pieces that will be sold at small grocery stores.
Memory Mutero, 46, was at the bakery to buy bread, since she makes her own scones at home.
“I make scones for my three kids. It takes about 45 minutes,” she tells AFP.
Her ingredients are simple: flour, salt, yeast, sugar, butter and milk.
But at the Bottom Drawer, an upscale tearoom in Harare, cook Veronica Makonese is unimpressed after tasting a scone brought back from the township.
“There is no milk in those, they used water!” the 46-year-old claims.
A white kerchief on her head, Makonese says she makes her own buttermilk for her scones, to control temperature and acidity levels, and uses only real butter to ensure the proper taste and softness.
Her boss, Sarah Macmillan, a 53-year-old Zimbabwean, says she longs for the scones she would eat as a child.
Back then, two shops in the centre of Harare, now closed, competed for the crown of best scone in the country, and Macmillan wanted her tearoom to make some that are “just as good”.
Macmillan says the secret of the little cake’s enduring success, in a country struggling with endemic poverty, is simple: “It’s very filling and affordable.” – AFP
BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Meet Marvin Dube, a gospel artist with a voice that can move mountains. Born in Kadoma and raised in various towns across Zimbabwe, Marvin’s roots trace back to Binga Junamina village, where his Tonga heritage runs deep.
Now based in the United Kingdom, Marvin is making waves in the gospel music scene with his latest single, “Munoziva Zvose,” set to release on August 3rd.
The song was born out of a powerful vision shared by Marvin’s friend, Simbayi Zwidza. “He saw a vivid image of God knowing everything we go through, even the things we don’t understand,” Marvin recounts.This message resonated deeply with Marvin, prompting him to write a verse thanking God for his grace in the face of hardship.
“‘Munoziva Zvose’ is a message of hope and comfort,” Marvin explains. “It reminds people that they’re not alone in their struggles. God is with them, knows their struggles, and will answer their prayers.” The song is a testament to Marvin’s artistic vision: using his music to touch lives, heal the brokenhearted, and spread God’s love.
What makes this track even more special is that Marvin is featuring on it alongside Simbayi Zwidza, whose vision inspired the song. “I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Simbayi on this powerful track,” Marvin says. “Together, we’re bringing a message of hope and comfort to those who need it most.”
Marvin Dube
What sets “Munoziva Zvose” apart from Marvin’s previous releases is its deeper, more reverent tone. The song leans towards worship music, encouraging a stronger connection with God. With its powerful melody, strong vocals, and heartfelt lyrics, this song is a blessing for anyone seeking a more profound connection with God, he says.
Marvin’s church, Spoken Ministry, has been incredibly supportive of this project, and he knows it will strengthen and edify the body of Christ. With Simbayi’s gift as a missionary preacher, the song’s potential to reach more people and share the message of faith is amplified.
“This song is a tool for evangelism,” Marvin says. “We plan to use this release to inspire others, share the message of hope, and continue to drive the missionary work we’re passionate about.”
Get ready to be inspired by Marvin Dube’s “Munoziva Zvose,” a song that will resonate with anyone facing difficult times and remind them that God is always with them.
BY STAFF REPORTER
Nokuthaba Dlamini , managing editor of VicFallsLive, sat down with Sibangilizwe Sibanda co-founder of the traditional Imbube Acappella group, Ubuntu Bomuntu, to discuss their journey and music in a modernizing world. The Victoria Falls-based group recently launched their seven-track album, Umdla Nkunzi, which features their gospel song, Inkanyezi, and other tracks that celebrate Ndebele culture and values.
Interview:
Q: Can you introduce yourselves and share how Ubuntu Bomuntu was formed?
A: We were formed in June 1999 as Amahlosi Asendle, but later changed our name to Ubuntu Bomuntu due to pronunciation difficulties. We’re a group of eight members from Matabeleland North province.
Q: What inspired you to start performing traditional music, and what’s the significance of your group’s name?
A: We were inspired by local Matebeleland Acappella groups and our cultural identity. Our name, Ubuntu Bomuntu, means humanity and emphasizes our focus on teaching and preserving our culture.
Q: What type of traditional music do you perform, and what’s its history?
A: We specialize in Imbube (African Acappella), which originated in Matebeleland, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini. This music style is unique to our region and plays a significant role in preserving our cultural heritage.
Q: How do you believe your music contributes to the preservation and promotion of our community’s cultural heritage?
A: Our music teaches the young ones about our culture, and our recorded materials serve as a reminder of our roots. We aim to prevent cultural loss and promote our identity.
Q: What’s your experience been like performing for tourists and visitors in Victoria Falls?
A: It’s a privilege to perform for tourists daily, showcasing our culture to a global audience.
Q: How do you engage with your audience, and what do you hope they take away from your performances?
A: We use social media to connect with our audience worldwide. Our goal is to educate them about our culture and promote love, peace, and harmony.
Q: Can you share the meaning and stories behind some of your popular songs?
A: We have gospel songs like Inkanyezi, social songs, and songs addressing issues like drug abuse, marriage, and climate change.
Our music reflects our culture and the world around us. For instance Esigodlweni , is a thanksgiving song that celebrates the culture and values of the Ndebele people from the founding King Mzilikazi kaMatshobana.
Q: What traditional instruments do you use, and how are they significant to your music?
A: We use African drums like ingungu for certain dances, but primarily focus on vocal performances.
Q: What challenges have you faced as a traditional musical group in a modernizing community?
A: Some people view our music as non-commercial, and promotion is limited, even on local airwaves.
Q: What are your goals for Ubuntu Bomuntu, and how do you see your music evolving in the future?
A: We aim to uplift our music to international standards and maintain our cultural identity. We’re focused on a brighter future.
Conclusion:
Q: What message would you like to share with our community and visitors through your music?
A: Love, peace, and harmony – that’s what we’re all about.
Q: Are there any upcoming performances or projects you’d like to promote?
A: We have several projects in the works, but lack of funds has delayed recording. We look forward to sharing our music with the world.
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