admin
They are also preparing for a tour of Europe.
The imbube group was formed on 15 March 1982 and will be touring the United Kingdom, France and Estonia.
The inmates had their time to shine as their imbube group, Izethekeli went on stage and gave a good account of themselves, with leader of Black Umfolosi Thomeki Dube saying they inspired him.
Izethekeli is a 13 member made up of inmates drawn from Khami Maximum, Medium, remand and Mlondolozi prisons.
Black Umfolosi displayed their experience with a polished performance that drew cheers from the inmates and senior prison officers.
Officer commanding Matabeleland region, Assistant Commissioner Milos Jomane and the officer in charge of Khami Prison, Superintendent Greenfield Bulala among other senior prison officers also joined in the festivities.
Black Umfolosi sang songs such as, Homeless, Summertime and the ever popular Unity.
Inmates also took their time to dance ingquzu when the group sang eGwelutshena, a popular folk song.
They exhibited their dancing prowess much to the amusement of fellow inmates and prison officers.
Not to be outdone, prison officers also took to the stage amid cheers from fellow officers and inmates.
In his remarks Supt Bulala thanked Black Umfolosi for coming to the prison and performing for the inmates.
He said such gestures would help the drama groups in the prison to learn from the best.
“Your visit has benefited the drama groups in the prison as you can see that there is talent. They only lack guidance and assistance from such experienced groups like yours,” said Supt Bulala.
He wished Black Umfolosi a safe trip during their European tour.
The leader of Izethekeli, Oscar Ncube said it was the first time a group performed for them and it was a major boost.
Speaking after the show Black Umfolosi’s manager Butshilo Nleya said the performance was part of their social responsibility drive.
He said after 30 years the group was intact and that was a reason to celebrate.
“We are celebrating 30 years in the business and the guys have still got it. We want to identify opportunities to be effective as a group and these are part of them,” said Nleya.
He said next month they would hold a celebration at the Enkundleni Centre in Bulawayo’s Emakhandeni suburb and thereafter embark on a nationwide and Sadc regional tour.
“We will come back and perform at Enkundleni, then Harare and Victoria Falls. So far we have Gaborone and Johannesburg confirmed. The tours will spill over into next year and 2014,” said Nleya.
He said during their European tour they would have a live performance on Sky Tv which was a plus for Zimbabwean culture.
“We have been invited to perform live on SkyTv and that is a potential to spread our culture to about 9 million people. In the United Kingdom we will work with Scottish and Welsh groups. In France and Estonia we will do a show each and then come back home next month,” said Nleya.
Sound Culture provided the public address system.
derick.khumalo