Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
The launch of Bhek’Ubone, the fourth solo album by Martin “The Big Boss” Sibanda, has earned the Ndolwane Super Sounds front-man a housing stand, courtesy of Vogue Fashions Boutique director, Thandazani Nyoni.
During the Bulawayo leg of the launch, held on Saturday night at a local joint, Nyoni, popularly known as Team Batista, attended with a large contingent of his staff in a rare show of corporate support for the arts.
Nyoni, who began following The Big Boss in 2002, said he had long admired his music and commitment to the industry.
“I’ve watched artistes from Harare being honoured for their craft, and I felt compelled to do something to honour Martin ‘The Big Boss’ Sibanda, who has been in the music industry since the mid-90s,” Nyoni said.
Midway through the show, Nyoni presented Sibanda with the stand’s title papers, drawing huge applause from the crowd. The housing stand is located in Emganwini West.
“As Team Batista, we’re buying the new album with a housing stand in Emganwini West because Induna has done very well with this album and throughout his career. The papers for the stand are here and bear the stand number,” he added.
A visibly elated Sibanda who is based in neighbouring South Africa hailed the gesture and urged fans to support businesses that back local artistes.
“Help me thank Mr Nyoni and his business for this gift. When you record an album and it’s bought at such a price, kuyathokozisa.
“They want me to come home and build a house, so definitely I will,” he said.
While the crowd numbered only a few hundred, likely due to the venue’s location, it was clear that die-hard fans had turned out to watch the man who made them fall in love with Ndolwane Super Sounds.
They partied late into the night, enjoying old favorites alongside tracks from the new album, which was released last week in South Africa.
On stage, The Big Boss wasted no time belting out classics like Phenduka, Bakhuzeni, Donsa, and Izambane lika Pondo, mixing them with fresh cuts including the title track Bhek’Ubone. Fans sang along, swept up in the nostalgia of the United Ndolwane Super Sounds era.
Earlier in the night, Simumye Simunye had warmed up the crowd with energetic dance routines.
The show proved that The Big Boss still has the stage presence and loyal following to command attention, even as a new generation of rhumba musicians takes centre stage.
@themkhust
