Comfort Ndlovu was born on Friday, 29 July 1988, at Antelope Maphisa Hospital in a small village on the mountain of Bhalagwe, where he learned different traditions and cultures from his community. He is passionate about music and inspired by its power to bring people together.

Comfort joined the 2022 cohort of Voice2Rep, representing Matabeleland’s long tradition of imbube music and Ndebele culture. Imbube originated in South Africa and is a vocal genre of music that is performed acapella with groups of voices creating intricate harmonies and textures. Culturally, imbube is an essential tradition for expression, giving rise to social commentary. 

“Before I joined Voice2Rep, I was a mere entertainer. But Voice2Rep made me a socially conscious artist who sings about social issues in a bid to try and find solutions,” said Comfort.

Wearing his traditional gear, including a headpiece and loincloth, Comfort stood out among the other Voice2Rep finalists who perform in more recently developed genres, including hip-hop, dancehall, and piano.

 Following the imbube tradition, Comfort Ndlovu applied to Voice2Rep to better understand the social issues he witnessed and help him communicate these through his music. Through the campaign, Comfort and other upcoming artists undertook a yearlong learning journey focusing on accountability issues; they received training in art and activism and connected with mentors in the music industry. 

The 2022 cohort of artists recorded Vakuru, a call from young people to the elders of Zimbabwean society to discuss the issues that affect them. Comfort Ndlovu recorded his first single, Qiniso, meaning ‘truth.’ Comfort wrote the song hoping to encourage healing and reconciliation among young people by facing the truth of the past. The song’s empowering lyrics and moving melody call for unity and understanding. The music and video reflect on the Gukurahundi massacres from 1983 to 1987, in which government forces killed about 20,000 people in ethnic Ndebele areas. Since then, the government has done little to acknowledge the scale and scope of the violence. The traumatic memories of this history continue to be a blight on the Zimbabwean psyche and contribute to the continued alienation of young people from the region. “I was trying to give people hope that we may have our differences, but we are people of the same great nation.” Says Comfort of the song.

Comfort won the Voice2Rep competition, receiving additional support for his work. With his prize, Comfort has increased his ability to record and perform his music independently. “I managed to buy my PA system, speakers, mixer, and guitar. Now that means as an upcoming artist, I don’t have to go hire equipment; I have mine. That’s how Voice2Rep helped me.” said Ndlovu.

Comfort Ndlovu expresses his passion for youth participation and inclusion through his music. He emphasizes the need for youths to start leading today for a better tomorrow. “Young people are the voice of today and tomorrow. May they start leading today for a better tomorrow.” Comfort cares about health and sanitation and is concerned about the increasing water and land pollution he witnesses. “It hurts me to see pollution.” Comfort Ndlovu also cares about healing and reconciliation, addressing tribalism and racism while in the Voice2Rep program. He hopes young Zimbabweans call Zimbabweans to ‘hold hands together’ and liberate the future.

Comfort Ndlovu urges Zimbabwean youths to take opportunities as they come and never miss their chance. He links back to his application to the Voice2Rep, noting how applying for that opportunity was his best decision then. “If I had not applied for 2022 Voice2Rep, I might never have tried again. I urge youths to strike as the opportunities come, and you might be surprised at how far you will go.” He said. 

Comfort urges youths to participate in local governance and never be discouraged. Ndlovu continues his journey as a rising artist and aims to make his music a tool to motivate more active citizens.

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Mechelle Chavango is a a Marketing and Communications Fellow