Online Reporter
Trust Khosa [email protected]
TRIUMPH, history and entertainment took centre stage at the Heroes Day Gala held at Mubaira Growth Point in Mhondoro, Mashonaland West, in a colourful celebration that honoured Zimbabwe’s heroes while giving artistes a national platform to showcase their talent.
More than just a night of entertainment, the gala provided an opportunity to celebrate both living and departed heroes whose contributions have shaped the country across different fields.
At the heart of the celebrations was the recognition of the next generation of artistes, with organisers deliberately giving young and emerging performers meaningful slots alongside established names.
Among those who grabbed the spotlight was Afro-beats singer Atenda “Chinx” Chingaira, daughter of the late revolutionary musician Dickson Chingaira, popularly known as Cde Chinx.
Atenda, who turns 21 in November, showed remarkable maturity and confidence on stage as she performed some of her late father’s compositions alongside her own material.
Her performance was so well received that fans called her back to the stage after she had completed her set. After seeking clearance from the stage managers, she returned and asked the crowd which song they wanted to hear.
The response was emphatic: “Makoti!” She duly obliged, performing the 2025 release, one of the songs that has helped strengthen her growing profile alongside tracks such as Ndodi, Mwoyo Wangu and My Man.
A fan in the VIP section summed up the mood after her performance.
“She’s in a league of her own. Cde Chinx should be happy wherever he is. His legacy is in safe hands. This girl is a star; we need to support her.”
Atenda’s reception was a fitting reminder of the power of national platforms such as the Heroes Day Gala in nurturing young talent and connecting emerging artistes with audiences beyond their usual markets.
The gala also lived up to its billing with a star-studded line-up that brought together some of Zimbabwe’s established and emerging performers. The line-up included Mzoe7, Clement Magwaza, Ma9Nine, LMG Choir, the Police Band, Allan Chimbetu, Chief Hwenje, Andy Muridzo, Simon Mutambi, Dorcas Moyo, Madhuve Sasha, Peter Moyo, Romeo Gasa, Baba Harare, Agartha Murudzwa, Mark Ngwazi, DT Bio Mudhimba and Jah Signal.
The diverse line-up reflected the breadth of Zimbabwe’s music scene, with different genres and generations coming together to entertain the crowds while contributing to the spirit of the national commemorations.
