The Zimbabwean singer who found fame in China – and obscurity at home | Arts and Culture

Harare, Zimbabwe – It was 2017 and Jo Stak – wearing a red tuxedo jacket, a bow tie and a homburg hat – was belting out a Mandarin song.

Red and yellow lights shimmered around him as a crowd of cheering, flag-waving fans on the Chinese version of The Voice gave a standing ovation at the end of his act.

Stak’s melodious rendition of a 1992 Chinese song called The World Needs Warm Hearts was broadcast on national television.

“I was invited to perform at The Voice as a guest performer…