BY Dr. HELLEN VENGANAI
As per tradition, I will dedicate this whole month profiling different women as we commemorate Women’s Month.
You spoke and I listened.
The #1st woman I will share about sums up the diverse categories of women I will focus on this year. She was at one time known as the iron lady of showbiz for venturing into music promotion, a field dominated by men.
I am talking about Barbra Chikosi, affectionately known as Mama Red Rose.
Barbara Chikosi was born in 1955 in Marange, Manicaland but grew up in Highfield in Harare. She founded Red Rose comprising hair and beauty Salons, events management, and real estate business.
The proceeds from these ventures is what she invested in music promotion. As a music promoter, she learnt the ropes from other promoters: Patrice Chakanyuka and Debbie Metcalfe (the late Oliver Mtukudzi’s former manager).
As a promoter, she assisted many upcoming musicians, struck good deals with established artistes and also brought in international singers for memorable concerts.
She was the first Zimbabwean promoter to bring South African duo Mafikizolo to Harare. She also brought Jamaican musicians Turbulance, Capleton and Chris Martin to Zimbabwe.
From Botswana, she brought Jeff Matheatau, Franco and Vee of the “Taku Taku” fame. From Zambia, she brought Amayenge to perform here.
Locally, she is credited for being one of the first promoters to organise Macheso’s shows in Harare. She also brought Paradzai Mesi from Muzarabani to perform in Harare.
She also supported Zimdancehall staring with the King of Dancehall Clash in the Harare Gardens, one of the first concepts to popularise Zimdancehall clashes.
Mama Red Rose had such impact, that a number of music from different genres chanted her name in their songs.
Mama Red Rose also uplifted women musicians. Do you remember the Gospel Divas annual concert that brought together about 30 female gospel singers on stage?
The Gospel Divas concert brought South African singers Rebecca Malope and Buhle Nhlangulela.
Locally, the likes of Mai Charamba, Mercy Mutsvene, Carol Mujokoro, Agatha Murudzwa, the late Joyce Simeti, Bethen Pasinawako, Olinda Marowa, Mai Patai, Barbara Chivaura, Amanda Sagonda, Hannah Chikosi-Mapepeta, and many others benefited from this concert.
She deserves recognition for her sacrifices in the music industry. To quote my brother Robert Mukondiwa, Mama Red Rose “pumped hard-earned money from her other ventures into the arts for the passion of promoting the new and unheralded.”
Some of the musicians we know now, owe their music careers to this woman.
But besides her love for the arts/music industry, her other passion lies in Women’s Football! During the time that her Red Rose Salon business was still based in Mufakose, she sponsored the Mufakose Queens.
Chikosi became a member of the Zimbabwe Football Trust. She then became chairperson of Cyclone Stars and got into the Women Soccer League as a board member responsible for finance.
In July 2018, Barbara Chikosi was voted chairperson of the Zimbabwe Women Soccer League, and she got into the ZIFA executive committee in December of the same year.
Help me celebrate Mama Red Rose for demonstrating her passion in women’s football and entertainment.
Ladies and gentlemen, this month I am profiling women in sports and entertainment.
Some extracts from https://www.pindula.co.zw/Barbara_Chikosi/
#CelebrateWomen
#IWD2024
Photo credit: NewsDay
