ZIMSPHERE
As 2025 concludes, Zimbabwean Afro-fusion storyteller Rutendo Jackie reflects not just on a year gone by, but on a journey of artistry, faith, and cultural preservation. This year, she has remained steadfast in affirming her place as one of the country’s most thoughtful and spiritually grounded voices, balancing contemporary style with the rich heritage of her roots.
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| Image: The Female Photographer |
A year of milestones
2025 has been a remarkable year for Rutendo, marked by a clear and confident evolution of her artistry. Through a series of collaborations, performances, and carefully crafted releases, she has continued to deepen both her sound and her storytelling, demonstrating an artist fully in command of her creative direction.
Her year was anchored by powerful spiritual offerings that resonated deeply with audiences. In June, she released Pangu Padare Pangu Padare – single featuring Dealon Muchaka – a work rooted in the symbolism of the homestead: a place where laughter once danced in firelight, where elders spoke in parables, and where stories were not merely told, but lived.
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| Image: The Female Photographer |
This sense of reverence and memory carried through to December with her hymn adaptation Mwari Muri Zuva Redu, which featured the angelic voices of Hillcrest Prep School in Mutare. The release was widely praised for its purity, heartfelt lyricism, and soul-stirring delivery, further cementing Rutendo’s ability to translate spiritual depth into song.
Beyond the studio, Rutendo consistently used her platform to champion African heritage, weaving narratives of identity, tradition, and spirituality into both her music and her visuals. Her performances across various stages, including The Good Seed and the Food Festival, reinforced this commitment, offering audiences experiences that felt as reflective as they were celebratory.
Equally distinctive has been her approach to fashion and visual artistry. Known for seamlessly blending modern aesthetics with cultural authenticity, Rutendo has set a new benchmark for Zimbabwean performers. Her styling and visual narratives elevate each release into a fully immersive experience, ensuring that her artistry is not only heard, but seen and felt.
The anticipation of Zindoga
Looking ahead, 2025 closes with the promise of Zindoga, her upcoming album. Zindoga, meaning “the one who walks alone,” invites listeners into sacred spaces of reflection, solitude, and spiritual growth. The album embodies the journey of the self: solidly grounded in heritage, yet reaching outward toward universal connection.
Diana Elisha Nheera, who is leading her management team, had some kind words for the upcoming project: “Zindoga is a masterpiece, a full circle fusion of Rutendo Jackie’s essence, sonically, culturally, and creatively. It is a sheer display of versatility with a deep settling in her artistry.
“The Zimbabwean music industry is now compelled to bow to the powerhouse that Rutendo Jackie undeniably is. At this rate, our export products are limitless. The genre-blending audacity, seamless collaboration locally and continentally, the rootedness in traditional Shona culture, and excellence in technical delivery make this album a landmark in contemporary Zimbabwean music.”
One can expect a fulfilling sonic experience that melds Afro-fusion rhythms, soulful storytelling, and contemporary personal style, offering a soundscape that is both intimate and cinematic. Rutendo’s meticulous attention to detail - from lyrical depth to visual cohesion - ensures that Zindoga will be thoroughly palpable.
A Christmas reflection
This festive season, Rutendo’s message is unequivocal: we have to pause, reflect, and give thanks.
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| Image: The Female Photographer |
“Family, faith, and creativity have been my anchors this year,” she said. “Music is more than performance - it’s prayer, memory, and connection. I hope this season brings peace and light to every listener, every home, and every heart.”
All in all, Rutendo Jackie reminds us that the true gifts of the year are not wrapped in paper, but lived in love, shared in song, and carried in memory.
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