Music Beyond Borders: Kashe Ngoma Enlists East African Stars for "Kushanda" Remix

By Valerie Mpundu

Zimbabwean Afro-jazz band Kashe Ngoma, fronted by Agga Nyabinde, has recorded an East African remix of their fan-favorite single "Kushanda." The track features Kenyan Afro-pop artist Ima Music and Ugandan multi-instrumentalist Aliddeki Brian, and will be included on Kashe Ngoma's upcoming album Toenda Mberi.

The cross-border collaboration was sparked at the recent Music Imbizo Festival in Durban, South Africa, where Kashe Ngoma performed as the sole Zimbabwean act among 21 international showcases.

“We were drawn to each other’s rhythm and cohesion,” said Agga Nyabinde. “We went straight into the studio at the festival, and that’s how the remix was born. Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Kenya in one song—that’s the Africa we want to build.”

A Song of Hope and Resilience

Kenyan Afro-pop and Afro-R&B artist Ima Music brought Kiswahili lyrics and a message of endurance to the track. A singer, songwriter, fine artist, and practicing lawyer who began her musical career in 2017, Ima described the recording session as divinely timed.

“Agga called me for rehearsal on day two. It was sudden and impromptu, but I knew this was bigger than me,” she said. “As Africans, we carry hope. We show up even when the days are hard. We build, we create, we thrive. That’s what this song is about.”

Ima chose to perform in pure Kiswahili to connect with listeners across the continent: “It’s African, it’s ours, and it connects straight to the soul. I believe Africans will resonate with this because we are hardworking people who keep pushing for a better tomorrow.”

For Ima, the gathering in Durban went beyond a standard performance showcase. “It opened me to African thought and systems. I learned that culture is an infrastructure. When Africans come together, we become a force to reckon with. Our sound is distinct, our story is powerful.”

"Music Travels Across Borders"

Ugandan recording artist, educator, and traditional instrumentalist Aliddeki Brian contributed a Luganda verse alongside indigenous instruments.

“I used Luganda and played the akogo [thumb piano] from Eastern Uganda and the traditional flute that cuts across Ugandan culture,” he explained. “You don’t need one dominant language for people to connect. The rhythm, emotion, and story travel.”

For Aliddeki, the collaboration highlighted sustainable models for African creative industries: “Touring is not just about flying to perform. It’s about building relationships, sharing knowledge, and creating systems that let African work move across borders.”

The "Kushanda" remix is currently being finalized at Playhouse Studios in Durban and is scheduled for release later this year.

Kashe Ngoma Kushanda remix