Talking Arts: Voices from the Rocks

Nkululeko Nkala

Well, like they say, February is a month of love. This is no different to the arts industry as we will also be doing what we love.

I mean Stage work. The arts sector has about FIVE events happening over the month of February.

Word on the street is DJ Slamma has taken a bold step and is now at Horizon on Fridays running a concept called Stay Fresh Fridays.

Thabani (TH) Moyo is at the theatre with his new piece Tensions, Sunduza are presenting Voices in the Rocks on the 19th and 20th. Raisedon Baya is premiering a new theatre piece called Addicted and another guy Khuliyo (who I will tell you about some time) is performing on 27 February.

Ita��s taken a long time a�� 10 years to see the revival of Voices from the Rocks a�� the Story of the Matopos.

Ita��s based on an oral history interpreted by the late Professor Terrence Ranger formerly of Oxford University. He is renowned for his research into the history of Matabeleland. This academic work was published by James Curry in Oxford though has been reinterpreted for the stage by the late Mandla Sibanda with music and dance by the late Simon Banda, who were both founding members of Sunduza.

Ita��s taken Sunduza three years to recover from the loss of leadership and with a largely new talented cast a�� some of whom were in the company at its earliest inception. The piece reflects the land issue in microcosm looking at the cultural and environmental issues as understood from different cultural perspectives. The area is now a UNESCO World heritage site and unique in Zimbabwea��s landscape. The production is at Bulawayo Theatre at 7pm.

Sunduza have diversified from an all-male singing group. For many years now their repertoire has included historical re-interpretations and the extensive use of dance and theatre and including women. Charles Banda a�� Simon Bandaa��s son, has taken the initiative to revive the productions but has been careful to recognise the talents of all members of the original team including Bekithemba Sibanda, Baphi Mdladla, Khaliphani Ndlovu and Peter Somapi Ruwanga. Newer cast members include the stunning Gugu Mhlanga and the powerful Simba Sagide, Nondulo Ncube, Amanda Dube, Rumbidzayi , Nonhlanhla Masina and Ivy Khoma. They are joined by Mkhululi Khanye.

Several members now take the role as lead vocalist which is reflected in the forthcoming double album due for release in the UK later this year a�� Open Air. The initiative at the Bulawayo theatre has been supported by their UK-based producer, Philip Weiss. He has also funded the production of archival videos making possible, access to live shows for future reference.

It will be wrong to ignore what the dancehall king did over the weekend. Winky D further confirmed that Bulawayo has a huge audience of music consumers. We just need to produce works that our people will gladly consume. What works for him too is that he is a performer par excellence. Today one of Bulawayoa��s leading artistes celebrates his Birthday. Happy birthday Gugulabo Nkomo. Until next week, be safe . . .