Insingizi reflects on Special Olympics bow

Bruce Ndlovu
Last Saturday, Bulawayoaï¿½ï¿½s Insingizi became the first Zimbabwean group to perform at the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter Games when they took to the stage at the start of the gamesaï¿½ï¿½ 11th edition.

For arts lovers, it felt like just recognition for the band which is seemingly intent on carrying the international legacy of imbube groups like South Africaaï¿½ï¿½s Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Zimbabweaï¿½ï¿½s very own Black Umfolosi.

The performance was even more fitting as it was in Austria, a country that the three-man group has made their second home.

The trio of Ramadu, Blessings Nqo and Vusa Mkhaya reportedly gave their all during a set that although very short, gave them a chance to showcase their talents to a worldwide audience.

In an interview with 3-Mob.com, group member Vusa Mkhaya said that despite a short set, they had maximised on it by packing all their material into one compelling medley.

aï¿½?Our set was 12 minutes. We picked songs from our three albums. Voices from Southern Africa Vol 1 and 2 and African Harmonies (Siyabonga). The songs we sang were Isiqoqodo, Londolozela, L aduma, Mbonqane Groove and Lamlela Ndwandwe,aï¿½? said Mkhaya.

Although they are seasoned performers who have exhilarated crowds in some of the biggest venues around the globe, Mkhaya said that their opening ceremony performance had elated them.

aï¿½?It exceeded expectations and we are honoured to have been part of the event. The (crowd) reaction was amazing and I think we pushed brand Insingizi to another level. We hope that this performance will open other avenues for us that we did not know existed,aï¿½? he said.