28/07/2026
Respect Baba Harare. Yeah! Jit to the world. I said it!
I recently watched a music analyst speak passionately about Jiti, describing it as one of Zimbabwe’s truly indigenous genres with genuine export potential. Hearing that conversation was encouraging.
When I first embarked on this journey, the general consensus was that Jiti was music for mabharanzi and vanhu vekumusha. The reception to attempts at broadening its appeal was, at best, lukewarm. But persistence has a way of changing minds.
By embracing the roots of the genre while allowing artists the freedom to innovate, experiment and tell new stories, we’re beginning to see more people connect with Jiti in ways they perhaps never imagined.
I would love to see more conversations around our indigenous genres. Imagine bringing together artists, producers, academics, promoters and other stakeholders for a storytelling forum dedicated to preserving, celebrating and reimagining these uniquely Zimbabwean sounds. These genres carry our history, our identity and our pride.
Jiti music💪🏽
