Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
Imbube music enthusiasts are in for a treat as the Bulawayo Arts Festival (BAF) hosts its Imbube Night showcase on June 5 at the Large City Hall, featuring some of the genre’s leading groups.
This year’s edition of BAF, which began on Tuesday and ends on Saturday, is being held under the theme “Building Bridges, Preserving Connections”. The festival provides a platform for celebrating arts, culture and community togetherness.
The Imbube Night line-up features Black Umfolosi, Amaqaqa, Indosakusa The Morning Star, Udonsi LwabaPostoli and Great Stars Ijongosi. Popular entertainer Brighton Mlilo, affectionately known as MC Mozeh, will host the event.
Black Umfolosi leader Sotja Moyo said their participation at BAF reaffirms the importance of preserving the genre while embracing emerging talent.
“BAF is a celebratory platform that brings people together. It’s always a delight for us to be part of it. Sharing the stage with upcoming artistes and legends of imbube music fosters unity within the genre, especially considering that Bulawayo is the home of imbube music,” said Moyo.
He said performing alongside young creatives is always refreshing because it reminds them of the journey they have travelled in music, a journey that has taken them to different parts of the world.
“Seeing young people embrace imbube means a lot to us as Black Umfolosi because it shows that our dream of reviving and promoting our culture through music is becoming a reality,” said Moyo.
For Amaqaqa, this year’s appearance carries added significance as the group takes its place among the headline acts.
“We have consistently performed at the BAF platform, and being among the headline acts this year feels great. We’ll be coming fresh from the release of our album Inkemba, and we promise to maintain the momentum,” said Amaqaqa publicist and member Mohau Dube.
Veteran outfit Indosakusa The Morning Star, which released its album uNembeza in April, said the festival presents an opportunity to reconnect with audiences while sharing the stage with both established and emerging acts.
“We’d like to appreciate the recognition from the BAF organisers for inviting us to be part of one of the biggest imbube events in Bulawayo. Sharing the stage with established legends and young creatives creates a perfect blend that allows audiences to witness both the present and future of imbube music.
“To our fans and supporters, we promise a performance inspired by our newly released album uNembeza. We’re looking forward to a great show and an unforgettable experience,” said Thembelani Ndlovu, who is a member of Indosakusa.
