Chibuku winners credit mentor

Showbiz Correspondent
RECENTLY crowned Chibuku Road to Fame Bulawayo provincial final winners, Makokoba Rhumba Sounds attribute their win to proper nurturing of their musical talent.

The seven-member group, formed in March this year, will represent Bulawayo at the national finals pencilled for Glamis Stadium next month.

Led by Itai Munengiwa, the sungura group is made up of youths from Makokoba and Mzilikazi high density suburbs.

The group paid tribute to their mentor, Cosmas Mpofu, leader of last year’s Chibuku Road to Fame Bulawayo provincial finals winners, Sounds of Universe, for being patient with them.

“Cosmas took us under his wing and gave us pointers of how to win the competition. We rehearsed at his home in Nguboyenja and are grateful for his assistance,” Munengiwa said.

He said they entered the competition with little hope of making it to the top five, considering they were competing with experienced groups.

“We thought we wouldn’t make it far, but we took to the stage and made sure we did our best. Amazingly, our band was announced winners and we couldn’t believe it. We were ecstatic.”

The group which bagged $1,000 for coming out tops, is now preparing for the finals where they will compete with nine other bands.

“Hopefully, we’ll win in Harare and get the chance to record our debut album. We’ll use the money we won from the provincial finals to buy our costumes for the Harare competition,” said Munengiwa.