Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
The stage is set, the instruments tuned, and the rhythm ready to take over as the Chibuku Road to Fame provincial competitions prepare to unleash some of Zimbabwe’s most exciting live band talent across Masvingo, Manicaland, and Mashonaland East this weekend.
On Saturday, fans in Mashonaland East and Manicaland will gather at PaGomo Leisure Gardens in Marondera, while music lovers in Masvingo can catch the action at Hightown Night Club in Nyika.
Masvingo participating groups are Bikita 4 Villain (Zimdancehall), Stonegrove Band (Trade), The Musical Soldier’s (Reggae), Chinhamo Express (Sungura), Afro Pulse (Afrofusion), Afro Beatz (Afrofusion), Ama2k Teachers Band (Afro Dancehall), The Doctors Band (Rhumba), Street Arts (Hiphop) and Bikita Vibrations (Sungura). Manicaland province contestants are Watsomba Stars (Sungura), Dapurahunanzwa Band (traditional), ASG Band (traditional), Mnenga Afro Band (Aftofusion), Vhunze Afrocentric Band (Afrocentric), The Original Sounds (Sungura), Ntswai Ntswai Band (Afrofusion), Macca Sensational Band (Afrocentric), Rusape Boy Band (Sungura) and Mupedzanhamo Band (Afrofusion).
Participants in Mashonaland East are Tapi Tapi Boys (Sungura), Burning Arrows (Jazz), Jungle Foxes (Sungura), Groove Fusion (Afrofusion), Buja Movement (Sungura), Orchestra City Sounds (Sungura), St Thomas Prison (Trade), Sungura Giants (Sungura), Venyika 2.0 (Zim Hiphop) and Big Sound (Sungura).
So far, Afro-fusion is dominating this year’s competition, with a large chunk of confirmed provincial winners representing the genre. These are Simuniziva from Matabeleland North, Core Vibes from Midlands, All in One from Mashonaland West and Da Band from Bulawayo. Also in the race to the grand finale is Bolamba Culture Birds from Matabeleland South province (Traditional Comtemporary Music). Follow on X: @mthabisi_mthire
