admin
This aptly describes the exhilarating atmosphere that characterised the Heroes Splash held on Friday night at Gutu’s Mupandawana Growth Point.
Graced by high-ranking officials who included Zimpapers board chairman Paul Chimedza, Media and Information Minister Webster Shamu, Senator Mendy Chimene and traditional chiefs from Masvingo province, the gala lived up to its billing.
The account was opened by Four Brigade Army band, Four Lions, who, considering the fact that they are minnows in the music industry, tried their best to rise to the occasion.
They were followed by Mbungo Stars who took fans down memory lane with the gospel songs like Muponesi Wangu and blended their display with energy-sapping dances that left fans crying for more.
While Alick Macheso proved the most popular to the entertainment-starved fans who thronged the small but busy growth point in their numbers, Peter “Young Igwe” Moyo, who seems to be getting mature with time, had a near flawless show.
There were wild screams when he walked onto the stage and he capped it all by asking the godfather of Sungura, Alick Macheso, to join him and together with Tryson Chimbetu and Tendai Dembo, they sang Muchina Muhombe with Macheso on bass guitar while Young Igwe played his late father’s rhythm guitar.
Tryson and Tendai were on vocals and the fans went wild chanting “Cheso Power” and “Young Igwe”.
However, it was a bad day in the office for Tryson as he struggled to impress fans who could not help but make gestures of disapproval when he was playing with his group.
The young “Dr Nero” tried to raise the tempo with his trademark dances but the crowd could have none of that and he was forced to leave the stage prematurely.
Sulumani Chimbetu however left an indelible mark and the Allan Chimbetu factor was evident as one could mistake the group for Orchestra Dendera Kings that was fronted by the late Simon.
Not to be outdone, Leornard Zhakata, who is set to introduce another type of music called Zora accostic, played like a genius.
The surprise package at this year’s gala was the original Pengaudzoke of brothers, Daiton and Josphat Somanje.
Asked if the re-union was not another smokescreen, Daiton had this to say, “We are together for good and we are working on a six-track album which will be out sometime in September.
“There is no bad blood between my young brother Josphat and I,” he said in a interview after their performance.
Other notable artistes who made their presence felt were Somandla Ndebele and Denda Brothers, Masvingo’s own Uncle Jahunda, Dhege, the poet cum-musician, Fungisai Zvakavapano, who surprised many by playing a traditional music piece before playing her gospel hits, Mercy Mutsvene, Blessing Shumba, Tendai and Morgan Dembo, Jeys Marabini, Amavithikazi and Iyasa.
Online Reporter