Afro-soul artist preaches innovation

Lazarus Sauti

Zimbabwe - Afro-soul artist, Best Masinire says innovation is the way forward for African countries to achieve sustainable development and transform economies.

In a song titled Innovation, off his debut album titled, Nakusasa Futhi, a name derived from a Zulu phrase that means “tomorrow again”, released recently, the artist says innovation is the tonic to development and as such, he urged Africa leaders to embrace it and change the political, economic, social and technological face of the continent.

“Innovation is critical to the expansion of African economies, but sadly it is still the missing link in the development matrix of most, if not all, African countries.

“There is therefore a serious need for both political and business leaders as well as economists and development players in the continent to put heads together and embrace innovation as the solution to many challenges bedeveling African countries.”

Borrowing from scholar Harriet Tubman, the young artist said that since every great dream begins with a dreamer, policy decision makers in Africa must only dream about innovation and use it to change the livelihoods of citizens.

But to achieve this, Masinire who is also a journalist, strongly urged African governments to change their education systems as education is the foundation for the future of Africa.

Education empowers the youths to make choices. It emboldens the youths to chase their dreams. Accordingly governments in Africa must change the education systems in their respective counties and promote innovation as a weapon to eliminate poverty,” he said.

The track Innovation also touches on the burning issue of aid and development in Africa.

In the track, Masinire encourages Africans to be the architects of their development, not just beneficiaries.

“Africa is blessed with material and mineral resources, but it is poor. Citizens are living in abject poverty. This must change.

“But for this to change, Africa must innovate. In fact, leaders must invest in innovative ways to end extreme poverty and sustain as well as further development, opportunity, and human rights for this and future generations,” he said.

Nakusasa Futhi is a 12-track mixture of various music genres.

The versatile album, produced by Dickson ‘Bizzy Dee’ Mandota at Moods of Africa Studios, carries eighty reggae tracks, three Afro-fusion songs and a dancehall piece.

Besides Innovation, a dancehall piece, the album features tracks such as Yanaya, Muchero Wekutenda, Chitanda, Manera featuring Flem B, Mugota featuring Beatrice Matewere and the title track, Nakusasa Futhi.

The album, pregnant with social and spiritual meanings, says Masinire, was inspired by the Spirit of God.

“Most of my songs come before, during or after prayer sessions,” he said, adding that “Some of the songs come from my personal experience, which is the basis of life.”

Inspired by music greats such as Tracy Chapmen, Richie Spice, James Blunt, Alexio Kawara and Victor Kunonga, the crooner began his professional music career after finishing his Advanced level education in 2010.

He teamed up with his friends, Goldrich Makeredza, David Chinyama and Tafadzwa Padziri to form an Afro-fusion band called Licafa in 2011.

A year after, Licafa started working on an album with legendary bass guitarist, Kelly Rusike as well as experienced music producer, Clive Mono Mukundu.

The album, sadly, never saw the light of the day due to financial challenges.

Masinire, however, embarked on a solo journey in 2014, and recorded two singles, Muchero Wekutenda and Chitanda at Moods of Africa Studios.