FRESH off a breakthrough year that saw her charm stages across Southern and East Africa, Zimbabwe’s jazz-soul sensation Raven Duchess is poised for an even more ambitious 2025.
She has announced a significant tour of South Africa and a celebrated return to Malawi's premier festival circuit.
The multi-instrumentalist and producer, has a distinctive vocal technique characterised by a jazzy, soulful tone, with a flexible vocal range spanning from contralto to mezzo-soprano.
She can sing on both high and low notes and has a soft, but bright voice with a clear and delicate quality.
This year, she is riding a wave of momentum from her prolific 2024 tour schedule.
Last year, she released her third album titled Indigo, featuring an acclaimed collaboration with legendary guitarist Louis Mhlanga.
She also delivered standout performances at The Music Imbizo in Durban, the Bayimba International Arts Festival in Uganda, and the Urban Music People Festival in Malawi.
Reflecting on her upcoming tours, the Sofar Harare alumnus highlighted the deeper purpose behind her music.
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“It’s an opportunity to showcase authentic Zimbabwean music,” she told IndependentXtra.
“I aim to provide impactful cultural exchange by collaborating with talented musicians from different countries. Global impact is possible through collaborations.”
She also connects her art to a greater cause, adding: “As a mental health advocate, I believe that it’s essential to share stories that encourage mental health awareness to entertain and ensure the audience has a unique experience.”
Her 2025 itinerary underscores this mission of collaboration and cultural exchange. The tour kicks off in South Africa with a series of intimate yet prestigious shows.
She will first share the stage
with South African multi-instrumentalist Mpumi Dhlamini at Johannesburg's Library Café in Sandton on August 29.
The following day, she will headline an International Women’s Month celebration at Sakhumzi Zoo Lake. The venue is a restaurant and events space located in Parkview, Johannesburg.
The South African leg will culminate in a profoundly symbolic performance at the Sanctuary Mandela Hotel in Johannesburg — the former home of Nelson Mandela — on August 31.
For this special show, she will be joined by an ensemble of South African talent, including Ntokozo Ngwenya on bass, Mpumi Dhlamini on keys, and Lebohang Makhela on percussion.
From there, Duchess returns to Malawi, a country that welcomed her music last year.
She is slated to perform at the prestigious Lake of Stars Arts Festival from October 17 to 19 at the scenic Fish Eagle Bay Lodge. The venue is an eco-lodge situated on the shores of Lake Malawi.
Founded in 2004, the festival has grown to become one of Africa’s most renowned cultural events.
Immediately, she will make a return appearance at the Urban Music People Festival in Cape Maclear, Mangochi, from October 21 to 27.
This year’s edition, dubbed The Elevation, will be a celebration of African creativity and talent through music, dance, poetry, fashion, and cultural expression.
This busy schedule continues Duchess’s pattern of combining high-profile festival appearances with her work as a respected collaborator and mentor — a role she exemplified in 2023 by mentoring female musicians living with disabilities for the Povo Afrika, Musicable project.
She regularly performs at corporate and diplomatic events, private parties and cocktail events. Her music resonates with multi-cultural audiences.
She has been involved in several collaborations with musicians from all over the world and featured in the song Magitare by Dimitri & The Scarecrow, which is a musical concept developed by Zimbabwean Uganda-based alternative hip-hop artist Dimitri D. Kwenda.
