Chronicle Editor
Bongani Ndlovu
FOCUS Acapella, a Bulawayo-based group that has won several awards for their vocal prowess, has returned home after an eight-month tour of Turkey. The group said they had a wonderful time and learned a lot from their musical adventure.
The group left for Turkey in June last year and stayed in Antalya, a popular tourist destination. They visited cities like Fethiye and Istanbul and travelled to Cyprus with Enbe Orchestra. They came back on Wednesday morning and landed at the Joshua Mqabuko International Airport.
Seven members of the group, Thobisani “Tops” Viki, Cosmo Ncube, Isaiah Motsi, Justice Ncube, Palvin Sibanda, Kudakwashe Nyikadzino and Thabani Dube (sound engineer), were part of the tour. They are back for a month to celebrate the wedding of Palvin and his fiancée Almo Dube, which will take place in two weeks.
Tops, the group spokesperson, said he was happy to be back home after a long time.
“I mean eight months it’s such a long time. It was really an experience and we had a lovely time there and we learnt a lot. Music is broad, just that the standard is different, the way you perform and work with your repertoire. It’s a learning curve and the environment is just different,” said Tops.
He expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported Focus Acapella from the beginning.
“Who would have thought that young men from Pelandaba, the western areas and from church will break barriers? We thank God above all,” said Tops.
He said the group will hold a concert during their stay in Bulawayo.
Focus Acapella was formed in early 2009 in Pelandaba by six young men who wanted to change the male-dominated acapella scene in Bulawayo and Zimbabwe by adding a female voice to the male sound. The group has its roots in the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
In 2021, Focus Acapella won the Roil Bulawayo Arts Award for the Outstanding Imbube/Acapella Group/Act. They also won the best contemporary acapella act/group at the Matabeleland Arts Awards in 2023, the Ultimate Brand OK Christmas Carols Sing-Off Winner 2020 and the Acappella for Africa Music Awards (Afama) for Best Virtual Concertession (2020).
The group has participated in events such as the Band Acapella Festival and shared the stage with famous acapella acts like Verdant and Sound Check, Naturally 7, Peter Hollens, Deke Sharon, and two-time world champions Six Appeal.
They released their first album, a gospel album titled “In my heart,” in 2019 and have recorded singles over the years, including Xmas Carols.
The founding members of the group are Cosmo Ncube, Kudakwashe Nyikadzino, Tops, Clemence Nyikadzino, Joy Maposa and Thando Dube. The group later expanded to include seven more members.
They are managed by Ngqabutho Hanyane and Lawrence Mpatsi, with Thabani Dube as the sound engineer.
Online Reporter