We asked Kudzai to tell us a bit about the origins of the songs she wrote, and why she selected them for this album. Here’s what she said:

TRACK 1 - BETTER THAN LIFE
God’s love is AMAZING! Unlike human love, His love is unconditional. There is nothing you can do to make Him love you more. When I came upon Psalm 63 verse 3 which says: “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You”, I felt I had to write a song about it.

TRACK 2 - I DON’T KNOW WHY
This song was penned by Andrew Baird, and I loved it the very first time that I heard it. What draws me particularly to this song is its vulnerability, it talks about very human emotions and hang-ups that many people can relate to.

TRACK 3 - HE KNOWS
Whilst being one of my oldest songs, which I feel truly reveals who ‘Kudzai’ is, it also makes a great follow up to the previous song ‘I Don’t Know Why’. It’s from Psalm 18 and it reminds me that God understands and shares my joy and my sorrow.

TRACK 4 - ON A DAY LIKE THIS
Bad days happen to everyone ... but they can’t steal my joy! What really matters is how I handle that bad day … I’ll keep my praise on! I am determined to rise above the muck that life sometimes throws at me!

TRACK 5 - ZITA RENYU
This is one my Mom’s favourite songs. “Zita renyu ngarikudzwe” literally means “Your Name be praised”, and I guess I wrote it in the style of a traditional Zimbabwean ‘chorus’; a style which I really enjoy singing. It’s a song celebrating life and celebrating the goodness of God.

TRACK 6 - THANK YOU!
It’s mind-blowing that a God so mighty and so great could also live inside our hearts. Before the foundations of the world were laid, He had already figured out the plans and purposes He had for our lives. Wow! A grateful heart is fertile ground for miracles.

TRACK 7 - USE ME
Sometimes I have felt inadequate about the things that I know God has called me to do. If the greatness of your vision scares you, then you’re on the right track! See, if God can use a little boy with 2 fish and 5 loaves to feed thousands, imagine what He can do, with whatever is in your hand, to impact this planet!!!?

TRACK 8 - UYAI
Meaning “Come Lord!”, this song is a desperate cry. The wailing is indicative of how desperately we need God to take His place in our nation, our communities and in our families. This is also one of my Mom’s favourites (probably cause she helped write it!).

TRACK 9 - QINISELA
This is another one of Andrew Baird’s songs, which cuts through so many social issues. The song literally means “Hold on, my friend, I’m coming to help you”. It’s a song that celebrates the unconditional love of friends and family. For example, with the national crisis of HIV leaving so many stigmatized and isolated, the song reminds us that we must embrace one another if we are to pull through together.

TRACK 10 - IN THIS PLACE
This is an intimate love song I wrote in deep appreciation of God’s faithfulness. The Holy Spirit is my comforter, my counsellor, my guide. I am never alone. He understands me. He is always there.