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Danisa Masuku
POPULAR Bulawayo women dance ensemble, IIuba Lemvelo, who are revered for their traditional dance routines, have diversified and produced an album to celebrate Highlanders Football Club’s 90th anniversary.
Led by Lethisiwe Mafu who is backed by Muchaneta Dube and Sylivia Sibanda, the album, titled Highlanders @90, has four tracks: Bosso @90, Shosholoza, Emthimbeni and iBosso Ngenkani.
Taking his mother away from her traditional music comfort zone, Muchaneta’s son – Munyaradzi ‘Crazy’ Mandaza – gives the album a youthful Hip-hop touch.
Shosholoza, an inspirational song, is meant to motivate Highlanders players to put their all when playing football.
“Emthimbeni weBosso is a track dedicated to the Highlanders achievements as well as celebrating its former players. The track Highlanders simply explains the team’s identity,” Iluba Lemvelo group director, Muchaneta said.
She said the album is meant to inspire supporters to rally behind the club, even through difficult times.
“Last season, Highlanders went through a difficult period that saw them parting ways with their coach, Bongani Mafu and rehiring Cosmas Tsano Zulu and Amin Soma Phiri to save them from relegation. As a result, their fan base started to dwindle.
“This album therefore, is like a motivation ‘pill’ for Highlanders supporters.”
Muchaneta revealed plans to launch the album next month at the Highlanders Clubhouse.
This is the ensemble’s debut offering as the women want to take their music prowess to greater heights, producing more albums.
“We’ve decided to diversify our dance work with music as we realised that variety is the spice of life. We also want to be relevant to our fans hence our decision to start singing,” said Muchaneta.
Online Reporter