Since I traveled through Africa with my brother from 1973 to 1974 in a worn-out 1965 Land Rover (my brother lay under the vehicles every evening to repair something), I have also owned African musical instruments: a guitar (with strings made from goat intestines) from Mali and a Mbira from the Central African Republic. Unmusical as I am, I plucked the guitar strings every now and then – not to Brigitta’s delight! I also tried the Mbira – with moderate success.

However, the evening of December 11^th, 2023 in Swakopmund was a success. Once again, we have been amazed at what is on offer in this small coastal town. This evening it was a performance as part of the German-Zimbabwean Music Project. We experienced a stellar moment when the German pianist, Andreas Kern, and the Princess of Mbira, Hope Masike, from Zimbabwe, came on stage. They were supported by four marimba players and two percussionists from Namibia.

We were enchanted by the sounds for an hour and a half and were the first to stand up when there was a standing ovation at the end.

PS: If you want to know more about Hope Masike and the African musical instrument Mbira, read here.