THE HERALD, NEW ZIMBABWE (Zimbabwe)
CHITUNGWIZA – Chiwoniso Maraire, one of Zimbabwe’s most famous singers, died late Wednesday at the age of 37.
Born in Olympia, U.S., in 1976, Chiwoniso shot to fame in the 1990s thanks to her distinctive voice and her playing the mbira — also known as sanza, kalimba or “thumb piano” — a traditional African instrument usually reserved for men.
The World Music star is believed to have succumbed to a lung infection at the South Medical Centre in Chitungwiza where she was treated for chest pain, New Zimbabwe reports.
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Maraire live in 2009 – Photo: CHR!S
An accomplished singer-songwriter, Chiwoniso was honored with the Decouverte Afrique award by Radio France International after releasing her debut album Ancient Voices in 1998.
The album entered the World Music Charts Europe and earned Chiwoniso a nomination in the category Best Female Vocals of Africa for the KORA Award in 1999, The Herald recalls.
