Pelandaba Choir wins Ingwebu competition

Simbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Reporter
IT was all cheers and whistles at this year’s Ingwebu Traditional Dance competition as Pelandaba Choir, among the oldest imbube groups in the city was crowned winners of this year’s contest held at Big Bhawa in Makokoba on Sunday.

The group, made up mainly of elderly singers went on stage clad in black pairs of trousers, black shirts decorated in white patches and white caps much to the delight of the cheering of the crowd.

Their singing was superb, well organised and so melodious that one would not believe that it came from the elderly gentlemen singing on the stage.

The 10 member all-male group managed to shrug off competition from six other imbube groups that were contesting in the same category to walk away with $650 prize money and a floating trophy.

At position six sat Crown Figure who walked away with $200, while Ibutho Lesizwe came fifth and received $260, Iwisa was in fourth place and walked away with $310.

In third place was Black Smith who walked away with $380 and position two was taken by Great Stars who took home $450.

Speaking on behalf of the winning group, Collen Dube, could not hide his excitement.

“This is a big blessing to be crowned this year’s winners of the Ingwebu Traditional Dance Champions in Bulawayo. The category was filled with a lot of talented singers who equally deserved to win the title but on behalf of Pelandala I want to thank the judges who saw it fit to declare us as the winners,” he said.

The group which was formed in 1962 emerged as winners for the first time in the 10 members’ musical careers.

“Our group was formed in 1962 under the guidance of Shadreck Ndlovu, Richard Ncube and I. We are happy that we have remained as a united group though we have lost some founding members.

“We are happy that through this victory we are going to continue growing stronger and stronger,” he said.

Sales, marketing and corporate affairs manager Nkosana Prince Ndlovu congratulated the winners for the efforts they had put into the competition.

“I would like to commend the winners and the choirs who took part in the competitions for the effort they put and coming in their numbers. Ingwebu will always support and honour Bulawayo talent,” he said.