Plumtree’s Madziba Embulu sets sights on Botswana as choir plans major 2026 push

PLUMTREE-BASED Kalanga gospel choir Madziba Embulu is aiming high this year, with plans to spread its message of faith across the country and into Botswana.

The group, rooted in the village of Ngwanyana in Mangwe District, is led by a dynamic female duo — 28-year-old Yenzani Tshuma and founder Tapiwa Tshuma (60). Tapiwa revealed that the choir recorded four Kalanga gospel tracks last year and is now preparing to release fresh material.

“We recorded four songs last year, but we haven’t released them yet. This year, we want to release more music, and this time, we are adding Ndebele gospel songs to our repertoire to broaden our audience,” said Tapiwa.

The choir first gained widespread recognition in November last year when it performed a celebratory track, Tolidza Mpululu, at the official opening of Ngwanyana Clinic — a performance that showcased the group’s vibrant energy and strong community roots.

Tapiwa, a mother and grandmother, is the driving force behind the ensemble. Her vision extends beyond music, as she is committed to uniting and uplifting her community by creating a platform for local talent. She has already brought several young people into the group, keeping them creatively active and honing their skills.

She writes music for the choir and is determined to ensure the younger members’ voices are heard, expressing a strong desire to get them into a professional recording studio.

“We want our music to be played across all radio stations. Once our new songs are ready, we will arrange an interview with Radio Bukalanga here in Plumtree,” Tapiwa said.

With a clear and ambitious vision, Madziba Embulu is determined to make 2026 a breakthrough year.
“This is the year to build our group’s popularity. We will also host free shows so that people get to know us,” she said.