Ancilla Gotore
MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO –A 21-year-old Masvingo student who had to leave Ukraine in haste because of that country’s war with Russia which started in 2022 has put his experiences into song.
Mukudzei Svondo Makurira of Hillside in Masvingo titled the video song S-M-I-L-E. He says the song is an appreciation of the love of God who saw him safely exiting Ukraine. Makurira who sought refuge in Romania before he eventually got home advised all those going through difficult times to put everything to God.
He says although he regrets termination of his studies, he is happy that he is still alive.
The lyrics are both in English and Shona.
‘When I used to drift away
He always made a way
(Dairai! Pandaimborasika Mwari Maingondichengeta,
Saka dairaiwo!)
If he made you smile’
The production work was done by Ceydar whose real name is Fortune Temba of Analogue and Stonewall City productions. Makurira sings Afro jazz genre.
He told The Mirror that his project was influenced by Bible book, Habakkuk 3 verse 17-18; ‘Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.’
Makurira enrolled for studies as a dentist in Ukraine in August 2021 and was forced out of the country the following February.
The Government of Zimbabwe paid for their return tickets and he and his friends got home in March 2022.