Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
MANICALAND representatives at the Chibuku Road to Fame finals — Mnenga Band — faced a tough outing at the national finals, falling short of the top three at the colourful silver jubilee edition of the music competition held at Gwanzura Stadium last Saturday.
While their performance was polished and full of passion, it was Harare-based Afro-fusion group, Chitima Band, which claimed the coveted national title, walking away with US$15 000 and recording contract with a producer of their choice.
Formed in 2023 by students from the Zimbabwe College of Music, Chitima Band outshone nine other provincial representatives with their unique sound and electrifying stage presence.
Matabeleland North’s Simuniziva Band and Mashonaland West’s All in One Band clinched the first and second runners-up spots, earning US$10 000 and US$7 000, respectively.
Despite not making the final cut, Mnenga Band left an indelible mark on, both the audience and judges with a flawless, emotionally charged performance that stood tall among the evening’s most compelling acts.
Seeded on Ballot Number 10, the band had the daunting task of closing the lineup, but did so with elegance, confidence and style.
Dressed in coordinated traditional-modern attire that paid homage to their Manicaland roots, the group delivered a mesmerising set that featured three songs, “Purezha”, “Mbabvu” and “Mari.”
Each piece was laced with rich harmonies, crisp instrumentation and lyrical storytelling that captivated the crowd.
The interplay between the percussion and lead guitar sections brought an infectious energy to the stage, while the vocalists commanded attention with both vocal prowess and emotional depth.
The group’s confidence was palpable.
Every movement on stage was unhurried with every guitar notes delivered with conviction.
As the last act of the day, Mnenga Band’s performance felt like a grand finale and vibrant crescendo of talent, culture, and raw musical passion.
While the results did not swing in their favour, Mnenga Band leader, Musa Maruva, said they will remain upbeat and committed to their journey.
“It is a competition. It has to have a winner. We will keep on forging ahead. We will remain united, conquer, and make ourselves known and become more visible.
“We cherish the moments we had. It was a beautiful experience showing the world what we are made of,” he said.
The 25th edition of the Chibuku Road to Fame national finals transformed Gwanzura Stadium into a vibrant cultural carnival, drawing thousands of fans in person and over 5 000 viewers online for a marathon 12-hour showcase.
Zimdancehall icon, Winky D, headlined the night with a magnetic set filled with high-energy anthems, sing-alongs, and his trademark crowd engagement.
His performance reaffirmed his place among Zimbabwe’s most revered artistes.
Other top acts included Killer T, Saintfloew, Feli Nandi, Travellers Band, and Kweseka Band, with surprise guest appearances from Nisha Ts and Ndunge Yut, whose pop-up sets further ignited the crowd.
The grand finale concluded with a dazzling fireworks display that illuminated the Harare skyline, as Delta Corporation — the organisers of the competition — celebrated
25 years of nurturing and discovering local musical talent.
