By Agencies
Multi-award-winning Zimbabwean Afro-fusion singer Cynthia Mare has released a powerful new single, Ndichamira Newe, a heartfelt tribute to Zimbabweans who have suffered the horrors of xenophobic violence in South Africa.
The song, originally written during earlier waves of xenophobic attacks, was inspired by the brutal treatment of Zimbabwean migrants who were assaulted, hacked with machetes, set alight with burning tyres and, in some cases, killed.
Mare said witnessing the violence inflicted on fellow Zimbabweans left her devastated and compelled her to put their pain into song.
One of the song’s most poignant lyrics captures that anguish:
“Moyo warwadza, ndawona hanzvadzi yangu ichipiswa nemoto” (My heart is broken; I have seen my sister/brother being burned by fire).
Yet despite its painful subject matter, Ndichamira Newe is ultimately a message of hope, solidarity and resilience.
In the chorus, Mare sings:
“Ndichamira newe,
Ndichafamba newe,
Tichakwira makomo,
Tichayambuka nzizi,
Dzamara tisvike
Kumusha wedu.”
Translated, the lyrics promise unwavering support: “I will stand with you, I will walk with you. We will climb mountains and cross rivers until we reach our home.”
The singer said the song is dedicated to uplifting Zimbabweans who have been forced to return home after being deported or displaced by xenophobic violence.
Having once lived as a migrant herself, Mare said she understands the emotional and economic hardships of leaving one’s homeland in search of better opportunities.
She urged Zimbabweans to embrace those returning home with compassion and help them rebuild their lives rather than stigmatise them.
Known for music that explores grief, healing and the human spirit, Mare has built a reputation as one of Zimbabwe’s most thoughtful songwriters.
Her award-winning hit Dai Zvaibvira, written after the loss of her mother, remains one of Zimbabwe’s most beloved songs, resonating with millions through its deeply personal message of loss and remembrance.
With Ndichamira Newe, Mare once again turns personal empathy into a universal message, reminding Zimbabweans that despite the hardships many endure abroad, they will always have a place to call home
