adminBekezela Tshuma Sunday Leisure Correspondent
MEETING and chatting with celebrities such as Muvhango’s Khakhathu Mulaudzi, Azvindini Mukwevho, Generations’ Jason Malinga, Sibusiso Dlomo and Rhythm City’s Miles Vilakazi and David Genaro is a much cherished dream for local followers of the popular South African soapies.
But for Bulawayo fans it is likely going to cease to be just a fantasy as actors and actresses from the three most followed soapies Muvhango, Generations and Rhythm City are expected to be in the city at the beginning of August to witness and support the debut album launch of the city’s acapella ensemble, Family Voices.
After the album launch, Bulawayo residents will have the opportunity to wine and dine with the group of South African celebrities on 3 August at a dinner dubbed The Celebrity Dinner at Holiday Inn.
Although the names of the celebrities from the widely viewed South African soapies to grace the occasion are yet to be announced their availability has been confirmed.
The development has been described as a right and bold step by Family Voices to launch their album with a thud, creating lasting impressions and getting local support that most artistes in the city are struggling to get.
Family Voices producer, Saimon Mambazo-Phiri, confirmed the development, adding that the necessary arrangements to bring the South African celebrities were under way.
“Family Voices will be launching their debut album on 2 August and during their album launch, South African celebrities have voluntarily said they would be present. So we have a few of these celebrities from Rhythm City, Muvhango and Generations coming to Bulawayo in August. We are yet to reveal the names of these celebrities,” he said.
This will probably be a way of saying thank you after the group of eight talented vocalists made an appearance on one of the Muvhango episodes in South Africa during their tour of that country last month.
They staged an impressive and scintillating performance so much that they attained acclaim and won the hearts of South Africans and that is likely going to cement the relationship between Family Voices and the South African soapies. During the Muvhango episode, they belted out a tune called Wouya Jesu (aah), which became the first Shona song, sang by Zimbabweans, to feature in a South African soapie.
Mambazo tells of how the relationship with these soapies began.
“When we were in South Africa, we got in one of the studios that happened to be where the Muvhango sound production crew does its sound recording. So while the Family Voices sang, one guy from the Muvhango team approached us and said he loved the guys’ vocals and would love the group to sing at a wedding and to our surprise, the wedding was in an episode in Muvhango. That is where it all began. So this was how we created the relationship with the guys.
“With the aid of the links in South Africa, one renowned actor from Generations got to hear about us and listened to the guys singing and he loved them. He was moved so much that he requested to be present during their debut album launch. This is part of how the relationship started. Family Voices now has an amazing and cordial relationship with actresses and actors in South Africa,” he said.
Mambazo said during their stay in South Africa, Family Voices visited numerous churches, belting out tunes which left many celebrities in that country wishing to visit Zimbabwe. They also met and exchanged notes with South African gospel artistes.
“The relationship has grown to a point where more celebrities we meet in churches now want to visit the country just to see the talent that is here,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter