Online Reporter
Sipepisiwe Moyo, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
BULAWAYO’S music scene is buzzing with the arrival of Westview Revolution, a new music label founded in 2024 by local creative, Thulani Dube, widely known as “Thuts Harsh Touch.”
Far more than just a production house, Westview Revolution is rapidly establishing itself as a vital talent incubator, dedicated to nurturing and developing the city’s next generation of music stars from the grassroots level.
Dube’s vision for the label is to provide a comprehensive platform for young artistes, equipping them with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in the competitive music industry.
Dube’s journey in the arts began in 2006 with his role as Majahana in the pioneering television drama Amakorokoza. Since then, he has worn many creative hats — actor, dancer, musician, producer and media scholar. He went on to form the popular Harsh Touch dance group and later, Harsh Touch Entertainment, which he credits as the foundation of his artistic identity.
“In 2007, I formed Harsh Touch Entertainment, which I believe became the cornerstone of the Thuts Harsh Touch brand,” he reflected.
His passion for music has remained constant, though not without its challenges. His early attempt to form an all-female Imbube group in 2014 was hindered by impatience among members, while a follow-up mini-group recorded an album that was never released due to financial constraints.
Undeterred, he pressed on, releasing a solo album in 2016 dedicated largely to the Highlanders Football Club.
“The album did very well — we distributed around 3 000 copies within two months,” he said.
Dube’s versatility also led him into television production, collaborating with Roc Media on shows such as Mandla Later Maliwe, which aired on 3KTV, and most recently Village 4 koMfanuyavela, released in 2024. His academic journey reached a milestone in 2023 when he graduated top of his class in Film, Television and Media Studies at Lupane State University.
One of his most cherished career moments was working with the late music legend and producer, Joe Maseko.
“Joe Maseko’s passing was a huge blow, and it took years before I produced music again. I only got back into it with the Westview Revolution idea in 2024,” he shared.
That idea was sparked during a school event at Lobengula High School, where Dube was deejaying. After witnessing two young girls deliver a stunning performance, he felt compelled to provide them with a platform — thus, Westview Revolution was born.
“I was deejaying when I heard two girls perform beautifully. I felt a responsibility to nurture such talent. One of them joined our team, which led to more dancers and DJs coming on board,” he said.
Westview Revolution is tailored to the needs of today’s youth, particularly Gen Zs or ama2K, guiding them through song writing, production, performance and visual branding.
“We give opportunities to willing youths, especially from Lobengula West, but we welcome anyone who shows potential. What sets us apart is that we guide our artistes through every step of the creative process,” Dube explained.
Since its inception, the label has produced three standout artistes; Anita Nampondo, Authen Vodloza and Malvern Machips.
“Anita has had notable success. Her song topped the Skyz Metro FM Top 20 for three weeks and held the number two spot for another two. She also performed at the ZNCC Awards in both Bulawayo and Gweru,” Dube said with pride.
Musically, Westview Revolution taps into Bulawayo’s affinity for South African sounds, offering a fusion of Amapiano and sensual Jazz.
“Bulawayo is heavily influenced by South African sounds. We package our music in Piano and sensual Jazz styles to connect with local tastes. We also prioritise lyrical depth and high-quality visuals to thrive in today’s digital landscape,” he said.
While Dube acknowledges the ongoing challenges in the music industry — including gatekeeping, shifting audience preferences and limited exposure — he remains committed to opening doors for emerging artistes and positioning Westview Revolution as a transformative force in the local music scene.
Bongani Ndlovu