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Mthabisi Tshuma, Showbiz Reporter
THE stage is set for the Chibuku Road to Fame Matabeleland South provincial finals taking place at Malaxo Beer Garden in Beitbridge today.
The competition, which made its return after a two-year sabbatical, will see 10 emerging groups from around the rainbow province vie for a spot at the national finals that will bring groups from the country’s 10 provinces to the centre stage.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Matabeleland South provincial arts manager Percy Vela said all is set for the competition with the groups ready to battle it out.
“Everything is on course for the competition that will bring 10 bands to compete to represent the province at the national finals. The competition is all about giving a breakthrough to up-and-coming talented bands,” Vele said.
Competing groups are Vumbachikwe Band, Insiza Super Sounds, Thokozani Super Sounds, Mkhando Boys Super Sounds, Fumubashe Band, Ziyaduma Express, Fugees Band, Takalang Band, Babirwa Band, and Tsunami Sounds.
The winner of the provincial competition is set to walk away with US$2 500 while the second runner-up and third placed will bag US$1 500 and US$1 000 respectively. The other competitors are set to get consolation prizes of US$500 each.
So far, the competition has been held in Bulawayo where Orchestra Zealous, a sungura outfit came out tops. Masvingo is set to host its finals on September 10 in Triangle followed by Midlands on September 17. The national finals have been slated for October 1 at a venue yet to be announced.
The competition, Zimbabwe’s largest grassroots talent identification programme run by Delta Beverages through their Chibuku brand in conjunction with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, was last held in 2019.
Masvingo’s Afro-fusion band, Identity was the 2019 winner. In the second position was Chitungwiza’s Jesa (Afro-fusion) with Matabeleland South’s Dengedza Express in third position. – @mthabisi_mthire
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