Ethiopia’s top trend-setting singer and actress Zeritu Kebede won Guma ward as best actress of the year, 2018. Zeritu Kebede born February 19, 1984, is an Ethiopian Singer, songwriter, social activist, actress, film producer, and screenwriter.

Music career

After eighteen months in the studio, in September 2005, Zeritu’s self-titled album was released. The album that included songs like ‘Endaygelegne,’ the first single from the album, ‘Athidibigne,’ the youth’s favorite, ‘Deg Abate Kifu Balua,’ a song which was critically praised for its lyricism and Zeritu’s personal favorite ‘Yane,’ became one of the most successful albums in the history of Ethiopian music.

From March 2006 to April 2006, Zeritu went on a national tour ‘Guzo Zeritu’ and performed in major Ethiopian cities including Addis Ababa, Adama, Hawassa, Dire-Dawa, Harar, Bahir-Dar, Jimma, Mekele, Dessie and Gondar. The tour was the first of its kind and also included another famous singer Abinet Agonafir who wrote and performed ‘Akal le Akal’ a duet with Zeritu for her debut album. The tour was backed by the Mehari Brothers Band, which was founded by Henok Mehari.

Zeritu played an important role in the production of Eyob Mekonnen’s debut album released in 2007. She wrote the songs ‘Tiwedegnalech’ and their duet from the album, ‘Yene Qonjo’. Zeritu also wrote Eyob’s single ‘Yefikir Akukulu’ which was released later.

Zeritu then toured the United States with the Mehari Brothers and played on a few stages in Europe and in the UAE. She also started experimenting with Jazz and acoustic bands performed several stages.

Jean Albert Levier, the director of the environmental documentary ‘Les syndrome du Titanic’ has used Zeritu’s song ‘Yane’ as the soundtrack for his film, which is based on the best selling book of the well-known French ecologist Nicolas Hulot.

Film career

In December 2012, Zeritu picked on her career in acting and film production when she began the production of the film ‘Kemis Yelebesku’let,’ later released on January 12, 2014. Zeritu co-wrote, produced and acted in the film, and wrote and performed the soundtrack song of the film ‘Alehu,’ produced by the renowned Abegaz K. Shiota who also scored the film’s music.

In the film, Zeritu plays a slightly tom-boyish college girl who refuses to date stating it is a waste of time since we all really are alone. The character eventually finds love and gets in touch with her femininity that nature initially intended. The film has been a national success, being acclaimed by viewers and by critics. Zeritu’s second acting role came when she wrote acted in Taza.

Zeritu is in the production of her third film, ‘Pagumen,’ which she wrote, and will co-produce.

Zeritu Kebede has been married to Lakachew Mengistu since 2005. They are parents of three boys, Kristian Lakachew (born February 2007), Mengistu Lakachew (born August 2009) and Tselot Lakachew (born September 2012), during the production of Zeritu’s film, “Kemis Yelesku’let.”[5]

Zeritu’s husband, Lakachew Mengistu, a football player and a business man, is son of the greatest Ethiopian football player of all time and Coach Mengistu Worku.