Hope Masike excited about successful book launch

Mbira musician turned poet Hope Masike has been revelling in glory after a successful poetry book launch over the weekend. Masike expressed gratitude to all those who attended the event. Masike published a poetry anthology titled “Ask me again”. The launch was attended by top poets, musicians, artists and various other people including Albert Nyathi and Dudu Manhenga.

Masike remarked,”One of the reasons i know it’s all going to be ok; i am surrounded by fantastic women! They came and graced my stage with their grace and it was fantastic”. The book launch indeed highlighted just how much Masike is gifted poetically. Her poems reflect social issues. Masike said she decided to delve into the territory of writing and poetry after a sad phase during her musical career. She wrote,” In 2018 i hit a hard wall. I broke off my engagement with my very hard working management patner. With the break up gigs withered and i also got sick….I was physically and emotionally tired while my finances were strained”. Masike said she had to move back into their family home in order to get back on her feet.It was then that she had adequate time to read poetry and she later on decided to write in October 2018. She also contacted renowned poet Memory Chirere who agrees to work with her.

Masike is known for her deeply soulful mbira songs. She has worked with the likes of Chiwoniso Maraire. She has released songs such as Ndinewe and Huyai tinamate. Last year she launched her new album “exorcism of a spinster” and it was a hit. The artists has worked with artists from Mozambique,Norway and Sweden in a group known as Monoswezi. Her musical attributes are as impressive as her writing skills. She was also once nominated for a Kora award. Poetry seems to be a perfect area for the singer as evidenced by the positive reviews to her book.