dyton mupawaenda
Arts Reporter
As the year is about to end, some people are already planning for the festive season, including appreciating one another.
Not to be left out are the organisers for the inaugural ‘Legends Appreciation Night’, who have decided to honour local living legends at a ceremony tomorrow at Sahwira Events and Lifestyle in Harare.
The event, which is a red-carpet affair, will be hosted by radio personality Season Ndundu, affectionately known as Chikara in the broadcasting circles.
The appreciation night is the brainchild of television personality Massy Bondamakara-Mupepe, who for the past years has worked on the programme “Living Legends” on ZBC TV, a show that honours living legends in arts, entertainment and sport, among others.
In an interview with The Herald Arts, Massy said she thought of taking the show to another stage by honouring the legends with appreciation awards.
“I started the programme years back exploring the lives of the legends as taking people back to their heyday,” she said.
“These guys are legends who need to keep telling the nation how they managed to make their names for the benefit of upcoming talent. Many have to learn from these guys who have become role models.
“So, after television, I thought why not appreciate them with an awards night. This will be done annually.”
Massy said she will start with 30 legends across all sectors.
“I have done interviews with 250 legends which were beamed on national television and I promise to honour them all,” she said.
“For a start, I will honour the 30 who were the first to be on my show. These include Alick Macheso, Nicholas Zakaria, Sunday Chidzambwa, Energy Marambadoro, Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, Elliot Mujaji, Charles Manyuchi, Mai Chisamba, the Charambas, Reuben Barwe and Steve Vickers.”
Massy said the legends will receive a gong, a certificate and a token of appreciation.
“It has been my dream wanting to honour these legends, but the challenge was financial constraints,” she said.
“The idea came about last year, but with the Covid-19 pandemic affecting the arts industry, I thought to do it this year.
“I started working on the project months ago, approaching stakeholders and organisations to come on board. We are still more than welcome to call on those who want to add to what we have.”
Massy said the event will see several bands playing at the event.
“We have gathered and researched on information about what the legends like and would want their day – show like.
“It is not like we will hire any artiste to perform, remember these are yesteryear personalities who have their fair share of entertainment.
“We are going to have various groups performing yesteryear hits for our legends.”
The television personality said next year they will have an international legend.
“We were in talks with some regional guests, but after we changed our dates it affected their visit here, so we have shelved the plans for next year,” said Massy.
She said she was still hosting “Living Legends” on ZTV.
“I am still with the show, but I was just busy with other projects and I choose to focus on one main event.
“Most awards shun legends, they are only bestowed with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, but it would not be many who are appreciated.”
Online Reporter