adminThe sons of the country’s late music greats all fitted well in their fathers’ shoes and revellers thought the late musicians had risen from the dead.
The music extravaganza which drew people from all walks of life was organised in honour of President Mugabe who turned 88 years last month.
The music fiesta was an honour that brought life to the otherwise sleepy farming town as people of all shapes and sizes came in their numbers to enjoy a night of music.
The event belonged to the young musicians who showed the nation that they have assumed their late fathers’ roles and they seem to be doing a good job. The event was beamed live on national television ZBCtv.
If what the likes of Tryson Chimbetu, the son of the late Naison “Dr Nero” Chimbetu’s display were anything to go by, then the legacy of their departed fathers shall live for a long time to come. Peter Moyo, the son of the late Tongai Moyo was also in a class of his own as he played with stunning verve, earning himself applause from the vociferous crowd.
The new Utakataka frontman had a memorable show so much that when he left the stage revellers were still asking for more.
The young artiste had to be escorted from the stage to his car as the appreciative crowd, which was predominately youths, mobbed him wanting to just have a handshake.
The music gala was well-attended with revellers coming from as far afield as Mozambique, something that demonstrated how President Mugabe is respected. Some fans had to walk long distances just to get a feel of the action-packed gala that was graced by some senior government officials that included Economic Planning and Investment
Promotion Deputy Minister Dr Samuel Undenge, Zanu-PF Manicaland chairman Mike Madiro, central committee members Senator Mandy Chimene, Enock Porusingazi and Chipinge district leadership, among other dignitaries.
Dr Undenge hailed the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity and all other organisers for remembering Manicaland in a unique way.
“I would want to applaud the team behind the staging of the gala of this magnitude. I thank the President Cde Mugabe for affording us a chance as people from the eastern region to show allegiance and support to him. We have demonstrated our steadfast love for our revolutionary cadre in a big way,” said Dr Undenge who is also the House of
Assembly Member for Chimanimani East.
The Deputy Minister also thanked ZBC for broadcasting live the whole gala and urged them to keep on covering less privileged communities as a way of enhancing a sense of belonging.
“We want to praise ZBC for its unwavering support and selfless coverage. I hope they will continue doing the same thing to other less developed areas in other provinces so that all people would have a strong sense of belonging to this special country.
“Above all, we want to thank all the people who attended this gala for they have shown their support to the President. This is my hometown and personally I feel honoured,” he said.
Introducing dignitaries to the fans, Cde Madiro thanked all who had attended the gala and the Government for facilitating the holding of the event.
“We are very happy to have such a favour, hosting a very important event like this one. As the leader of the province, on behalf of my party, I feel humbled and I think the district here feels the same,” he said.
Musicians who performed at the memorable gala said they where touched by the turnout.
“We congratulate the President for being 88 years old. We support him for his wisdom and we will continue responding positively to invitations to perform at such events. We feel honoured to be part of the billing,” said Tongai Nheta, Mercy Mutsvene’s manager.
Real Sounds of Africa frontman Energy Mutodi said he was impressed by the attendance which he said showed that people still respected the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
“This is a confirmation that His Excellence is still popular. The coming of musicians from as far as Mozambique means that President Mugabe is respected beyond our borders.
“We are more than 70 artistes here and that means there has been an overwhelming response. We will keep on performing at such galas whenever invited. On behalf of Real
Sounds, I say, Happy birthday Gushungo,” said Mutodi.
Mutodi, who gave a good account of himself with his unique type of music said he was going to take the music industry by storm and keep on promoting the Zimbabwean brand.
“We will spruce up the image of the country through music and I promise that I will keep on promoting the image of my country because I love it. Fans should also expect more from Mutodi,” said the Angelina hit maker.
Willom Tight, who has just released an album, said that he was much pleased to be part of the billing and would keep on celebrating the Head of State’s birthday.
“Apart from being presented with an opportunity to meet my fans, I shared experience with other artistes. This is an honour and on behalf of the Tight Family, I would like to extend a congratulatory message to my President, saying happy birthday,” said Tight.
The gala was a rare occasion in the eastern farming town and fans were excited to witness such an enthralling event.
“We are delighted to have such a big event in our time. We have never had an event of this magnitude and you can see by the attendance that people are very happy.
“Chipinge has not hosted any gala and this is a new experience for the Ndau people. We have been respected and want to thank the President for such a favour,” said Daniel Mirisi, a Blessing Shumba fan.
Online Reporter