adminMunyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
MIDLANDS State University (MSU) Afro-Jazz outfit, Those Guys, will be making their way to Harare where they will represent the Midlands province at the Chibuku Neshamwari Road to Fame finals. After winning the provincial competition at Musika Beer Garden Hall in Gweru on Saturday, Those Guys now have their eyes on the national trophy. The finals will be held on September 26 at a venue to be advised.
The students walked away with $1,000 prize money, beating sungura group, On One who settled for second position and received $500. Yamis came third and were given $300.
Co-hosted by Delta Beverages’ Chibuku brand and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, the competition attracted 13 groups from the province’s eight districts. Other groups that participated include Mbada Sounds, Easa, Shamiso and Crew, Chabvondoka, Express, Afro Switch, Afro Power Kings, Dakurahunanzva, Real Express and Vatumwa.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe provincial manager, Abigail Sibanda thanked participants for being professional and graciously accepting their fate.
She urged losing participants not to lose hope, but to improve their acts in preparation for next year’s provincial finals.
“I’d like to thank Delta Beverages for making the event worthwhile and for promoting arts through the Chibuku Road to Fame contests. The environment was peaceful and we hope that our provincial winners will lift the Midlands flag high when they represent us at the national finals in Harare,” Sibanda said.
Next week, the Chibuku Road to Fame provincial finals move to Mashonaland East.
Bulawayo finals will be held on August 1 at the Manor Hotel followed by Mashonaland West finals in Chinhoyi on August 8.
Masvingo will hold its finals on August 15 at Eden bar followed by Matabeleland South on August 22 in Gwanda at Colleen Bawn beerhall.
The Harare finals will be held in Chitungwiza on August 22 at Chibuku Stadium followed by Matabeleland North on August 29 in Hwange at Jabulani Beerhall.
The last provincial finals will be conducted in Mashonaland Central on September 5.
Meanwhile, the Chibuku Neshamwari finals will be held in Bulawayo next week at White City Stadium. Ten groups will battle it out for the top honours.
Online Reporter