adminborders following their successful performance at a prestigious agricultural and commercial event held in Zambia recently.
The eight-member group left the 60 000 plus audience who attended the Agricultural and Commercial Show of Zambia held in Lusaka from July 31-August 2 spellbound with their rich cultural act.
The event, that is Zambia’s largest agricultural show, attracted close to 30 groups from Zambia, Malawi, Swaziland, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe, who took turns to entertain people at the fete that marked the 85th anniversary of the show.
The group performed before a capacity crowd that loved every bit of their stage performance over the three-day period.
This was their second time performing at the event after their maiden appearance at last year’s show.
“The production was very international and they loved it. We tried to make it as unique as possible since we were playing alongside a number of other groups from different countries.
“We met a lot of artistes from the region who their own way of doing things and we had to make sure that we stand out of the rest,” Zanele Nkomazana, the director of the group, said.
Zanele said their performance opened up opportunities for them to tour other countries on the continent for similar shows.
“We left an impact. We were recalled to perform in Zambia next year. We also linked up with a number of trade fair organisers from countries like Swaziland and will be travelling to that country this
monthend,” she said.
The group showcased some of their new productions like the rainmaking song titled “Wosana”, and the new and popular one, “Sebekhuluma Ngathi” which literary means ‘They are talking about us’.
It is a mix of Ndebele and Kalanga amabhiza
dances and this stole the attention of the crowds in Zambia.
Apart from their enthralling dances, Amavithikazi, who graduated from a mere dance group to include a live band, plays a very percussive African sound based on Western instruments.
Zanele said it was important for groups to be always in the habit of creating new things if they to make it internationally.
“There is need for artistes to keep on inventing new things, new ideas, new markets and productions if they are to break into the international market.
“No wonder most people in Zambia only know of one Zimbabwean artiste and that artiste is Oliver Mtukudzi,” Zanele said.
The group has one album to their name, “Yini Ngawe” released in 2009.
Online Reporter