South African based award winning singer and songwriter Berita is in Kigali ahead of her performance at the ‘Live and Unplugged’ show scheduled for Saturday, May 26, at the newly opened Kigali Cultural Village.

Real name Gugulethu Khumalo, the Zimbabwean afro pop guitarist and producer promised an evening of healing, encouragement, inspiration and a lifetime experience for all who will attend the show.

"I was told that people from Rwanda are composed and when they are at a performance, they just sit and watch, which is good for me, because I love being listened to. My music is soul music and they should come to my show,” she said during an interview with The New Times, adding that she was excited about being in the country.

"Growing up, my father wanted us to know more about our history and the African continent and knowing the history of this country, I am encouraged by how the country has taken on the reconciliation process. I feel like in five to 10 years, this country will be the anchor of Africa.”

Berita said that it will not be her visit to the country. She revealed that she has already connected with artistes in Kigali and is already doing collaborations.

Organised by Afrogroov, a local events company, Berita’s show is the climax of the singer’s East African tour that has already seen her hold concerts in Kampala and Nairobi.

Eric Soul, the founder of Afrogroov, said that he met the singer at the DOADOA festival in Kampala.

"I was keen on introducing her because she is a high achiever and she plays acoustic music. The artistes that I invite like to present themselves in a different type of setting, and that is what brings a different experience. Also, the proximity is exciting as you are very close to the artiste and it feels like the artiste is in your living room.

Soul revealed that the show will include a conversation with Berita about the impact of afro music today and the role of women in the industry and the challenges. She will also have surprise performances where she will sing Kinyarwanda songs and perform with Deo Munyakazi, the Inanga player.

Berita’s musical journey

Even though Berita did not dream of being a musician, she loved music and always listened to different sounds like Brenda Fassie, Oliver Mtukudzi, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, and Hugh Masekela.

Her musical journey began in 2012 after leaving New Zealand, where her parents are immigrants.

She moved back to South Africa in 2011 to study accounting and it is then that she started writing and singing songs. Within one year she signed a record deal, recorded her first album and released her first song Thandolwethu. She has since released three albums and worked with big names in the industry like Oliver Mtukudzi, and Yvonne Chaka Chaka.

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