adminShingirirayi Mugodi
AUSTRALIA-BASED jazz crooner Mabasa “General Bazuka” Ziyambi is over the moon!
The crooner, who doubles as a health worker, won the prestigious “Best Artist in Australia from Zimbabwean Heritage Award, at the inaugural ZIMA Gala held in Sydney last weekend.
The awards honoured Zimbabwean personalities, who excelled in business, culture, music, religion, education and leisure.
“I feel very confident knowing that I have people out there who believe in my art.
“This is my second award in a year, which made me feel positive in my work and it gave me a spirit of self-belief. Additionally, the awards speak volumes for themselves that no negative campaign can downplay the people’s feelings.
“It also made me feel grateful to those around me working tirelessly to handle my mental state,” he said.
Ziyambi, who is yet to win an award back home, said the honour gives him strength to continue working hard.
“This award also proved to those who doubted my music that I am here to stay.
“To thank my fans on the night, I performed the song ‘Honai, thanking the Almighty for not giving up on me and also my family and friends.
“I’m grateful to my manager and wife Ratidzo for always being my pillar of strength.
“She also doubles as one of my backing vocalists. The band manager, Simba Antonio, and the whole group were very excited by this award,” he said .
Added Ziyambi: “It is not only for me but for everyone who believes in our group.
“I dedicate this to team work and the company I manage, ‘Destiny Empowerment Care Services’ for their input. They also sponsored two videos I will be recording in Zimbabwe next month.”
The energetic performer said he was home-sick and Harare bound.
“I will be in Zimbabwe this coming month and I am likely to be performing in some parts of Zimbabwe. I have already started discussing shows with Suluman Chimbetu for some combined shows.
“I also want to spend a reasonable amount of time at the farm with my mother and family.”
Asked on the strides he has made to penetrate Australia as an artist, he said:
“I feel my music is slowly reaching our people and also the foreigners.
“Culture is very important and people always enjoy listening and watching people from all walks of life Cultural exchanges also add value to lives by inspiring new forms of artistic expression.”
Online Reporter