New kid on the block

Emmanuel Ndlovu
THE City of Kings and Queens has proven to be a hub of talent that continues to shine around Zimbabwe and beyond borders. Of late, the local scene has seen the emergence of a number of young artistes whose unique talent has made them break new ground. Among these budding artistes are the likes of Nama nominees, Clive Chigubhu and Ntando “the general” Moyo who are both comedians.

Others are urban grooves musician Lwazilwenkosi “Mchenana” Skuza, P.O.Y, Pronix, Ex Mile, Anti-virus hip-hop dance crew and Magesh Tornadoes, among others.

One of the upcoming artistes whose talent in hosting entertainment shows has caught the eyes of many in the arts industry is Phillip Moyo, an upper sixth student at Northlea High school in Bulawayo.

The 20-year-old Moyo, who is affectionately known as Cde Phil in the entertainment circles, has hosted a number of festivals in the city as a presenter or Master of Ceremony (MC).

These include the Plays on Sundays at Amakhosi Cultural Centre, Intwasa Arts Festival, Ibumba Arts Festival, Isiphiwo Sami Talent search, Inxusa Festival and the national competitions for Jikinya Traditional Dance Festival held in Bulawayo last year.

Born and bred in Bulawayo’s Makokoba suburb, Cde Phil seems to be up for the game which he started when he was still doing his O’levels.
He told the Chronicle Showbiz this week that his eloquent skills on the microphone were sharpened at the traditional cultural centre of Amakhosi. “I started presenting at Amakhosi at the age of 18 where I hosted shows such as the on-going Plays on Sundays and Dreams to Fame.

“At first stage fright was my major problem which took me some time to overcome because of the inferiority complex I had about myself.
“I would get on stage and think that the audience would probably not take me seriously because of my age. Sometimes I would stammer before people and run out of words. However, all this did not make me lose faith in myself as I knew that one day I was going to master the tricks of presenting,” said Cde Phil.

The young presenter, whose dream is to be a journalist, said his commitment to arts does not affect his studies.
“My studies are always my first priority and I ensure that a balance is maintained between the two, otherwise if I had not done so, I was not going to make it in my O’level education because by then I had already started doing arts,” he said.

The versatile Moyo also featured in the Cont Mhlanga’s production, Nyaminyami, as Mahalf.