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The group was formed last year in August and beat off stiff competition from Bulawayo groups to clinch the provincial first prize of the Chibuku Road to Fame last week.
Facebook Brothers comprises seven male members and one female dancer who doubles up as a backing vocalist.
The group is under the tutelage of Obadiah Matulana and has a drummer, Mthulisi, who is his son.
Saturday Leisure recently spoke to the group members who were thrilled about winning the Bulawayo title.
“We were astonished that we won the title and as a young group we feel it is a good achievement.
This shows that we can do it as we only need practice,” said Vincent Newende, who is the backing vocalist in the group.
He said Matulana chose the name for the group to give it a modern feel and the social network Facebook is the in-thing at the moment.
“We were given the name by Matulana so that the group could have an appeal to audiences and raise interest,” said Newende.
He said the group comprised his brothers Bismarck on bass guitar and John who is on lead guitar and the combination brings out the best in them.
“We have Trymore Ngwenya, Perfect Mahove and Nomagugu Luphahla. They have been with us since the formation of the group and we are going to Harare to take the national title,” said Newende.
He said their music was called tshibilika and was sung in many languages to show the diversity of Zimbabwe.
“People call our type of music sungura, but we call it tshibilika. We have songs in SiNdebele, Shona, Kalanga and other languages in Zimbabwe. We want to make our music diverse and appeal to all people,” said Newende.
Matulana said it was good that his students had made it to the top in such a short space of time.
“The group is under my stable and it is good for them to be at the top. At least they learnt a lot from me and it is pleasing to note that my son is also in the group,” he said.
Matulana said all that was left was to begin preparations for the national finals as they wanted to bring back the title that was last in Bulawayo in 2006 when Blackface scooped the first prize.
Mthulisi said his father’s experience gave the group the edge over others.
“We have been coached by my father and his wealth of experience was an added advantage and as an upcoming group we made it to the top because of him,” said Mthulisi.
Online Reporter