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Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
PREPARATIONS for this year’s Chibuku Road to Fame Manicaland provincial finals slated for Chinyausunzi Beerhall in Sakubva are at an advanced level, with 10 groups geared for the contest.
The event will be held on September 23.
The contest, which was over the years dominated by sungura and Afro-jazz fusion music, is now open for other genres such as Zim-dancehall and hip-hop.
National Arts Council’s Manicaland provincial manager, Caroline Makoni said she is happy with the build-up to the event, saying a few slots are still available for interested groups.
“Registration is underway and we are happy that eligible groups are coming up to be part of the event. Ten groups will battle it out for the coveted prize, and the winner will represent Manicaland at the national finals to be held later during the year.
“This is a music talent search programme which targets youths aged between 18 and 35. The groups should not have recorded an album before.
“A band should be comprised of five to eight members. Just like last year, the event is open to other genres like Zim-dancehall and hip-hop, in addition to the genres that have dominated the competition before, that is sungura and Afro-fusion,” she said.
In 2019’s edition of the Chibuku Road to Fame Manicaland provincial competitions, Eastern Riders won the contest after outplaying seven other outfits that participated in the tightly-contested event.
Last year saw the returning of the event which had been halted due to the Covid-19 lockdown measures.
Expressions Band won the provincial contest before faltering at the national finals.
The Afro-jazz band will perform at this year’s provincial finals as a guest group.
The competition is a partnership between National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and Delta Beverages, with the former being the technical partner, while the latter is the sponsor.
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