Mangwenya in double celebration

Tawanda Matanhire Arts Correspondent —
Singing sensation Diana Samkange will have a double event when she stages a farewell show that will also be a birthday bash ahead of her upcoming UK tour.

The show will feature BaShupi, Kessia, Pah Chihera and Prince Musarurwa at Bar Rouge tonight. Samkange, who is now known as Mangwenya, will be leaving

the country soon for several festivals in the United Kingdom and surrounding countries to market her new album. She said the birthday bash is also an offering to her fans who should come in numbers to support.

“The birthday bash is for celebrating with my fans in the country and they should come to see me in action and support the show,” Mangwenya said.

“I want to always give my fans the best, I saw it fit to go out there and get the necessary exposure, thereby continuing to learn from other artistes and get more experience. My UK tour will be a learning experience,” she said.

“I also want to keep raising the Zimbabwean flag high as other artistes do when they go out and be a good ambassador of the country.”

She said a lot of people have been requesting for her yesteryear music which also prompted her to embark on tours.

“I am forced to revisit the archives because of overwhelming requests for old songs,” she said.

“I also have many new fans who got to know me through my latest album and tours and I continually want to make them happy,” she added.

Mangwenya said she is going abroad to learn from other artistes who come from different backgrounds and cultures. Mangwenya sprouted from the group 2BG which was made of Calvin Mavhunga and Bloodshaw “Blush” Chikosi to become a solo artiste in 2008.

She has released four solo projects namely “My First Diary”, “Kumagumo Erudo”, “Kumazivandadzoka” and “Kwayedza”.