Tina Watyoka to Headline Harare Open Mic at The Republik

Afro-jazz musician Tina Watyoka will headline this month’s Harare Open Mic session, set for Friday and Saturday at The Republik. Organisers say her appearance is designed to motivate and mentor emerging artists while giving them exposure on a respected stage.

Event organiser Batsirai Chigama explained that inviting Tina was a deliberate move to show upcoming creatives that success in the arts requires focus, passion, and persistence. He noted that by bringing seasoned performers to the platform, young artists can gain valuable lessons on stagecraft and the business side of being an artist. Chigama described Tina as a dedicated woman who has worked her way up in the industry, adding that her journey will inspire many.

The event’s line-up also includes poets Tadana Nakai, Praymore, Dumiso, Yvonne Matanhire, and Matipaishe Mavunga, alongside storytellers Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi, Tawanda Vombo, Tinashe Muchuri, and Shingirai Manyengavana. The diverse acts highlight the platform’s role in promoting not just music but also poetry and storytelling as vital parts of Zimbabwe’s creative scene.

Tina Watyoka’s musical path started at The Book Café, a creative hub that became a launchpad for many Zimbabwean artists. Platforms like Sistaz Open Mic and workshops by Pamberi Trust equipped her with key skills, including mic handling, stage presence, and understanding the business side of music. These are the same skills she now hopes to pass on to upcoming performers.

Her professional breakthrough came in 2010 with the release of her debut album Introducing Tina, which featured the hit single Chii. The track dominated airwaves on Spot FM, now Classic 263, and marked her arrival as a serious artist. She followed this success with her second album Ndoita Sei in 2014, which gained wide acclaim and received strong airplay on Star FM.

Tina is also a versatile multi-instrumentalist who chose the saxophone as her signature instrument, breaking barriers in a space where female saxophonists remain rare in Zimbabwe. Her playing style is influenced by both local and international legends. She cites Sylvanous Matewe, Osborne Matengenzara, and Joseph Chinouriri as local inspirations, while drawing from global icons such as David Sanborn, Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, and Gerald Albright, whom she considers her personal favourite.

By headlining the Harare Open Mic, Tina Watyoka not only brings star power to the event but also embodies the spirit of mentorship and community that the platform seeks to promote. The weekend promises a blend of music, poetry, and storytelling, with Tina’s performance expected to be the highlight.