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5 respectively. Most of the prospective participants came with the hope that Umoja might catapult them into the limelight and launch the showbiz careers of unknown but talented youngsters with one-in-a million voices.
The 77 registered applicants to the auditions who came from all over Zimbabwe were, without exception all talented, but the nature of Umoja is such that only a limited number can be accommodated each year. They showed off their skills in dancing, singing and instrument playing.
The competition was so strong to the extent that one contestant, who looked all “spliffed” up, decided to pull out before auditioning after observing what others were capable of doing. When asked why he had chickened out, this is what he had to say: “I dislike it (competition) in real life. I do not see why competition should be introduced into one’s amusements. If it amuses me to do a thing, I don’t see how it matters much whether I do it better than another person or not! In fact, competition is for horses and not artistes, period!”
Tsitsi Tizora, one of the Umoja Zimbabwe directors, says: “2011 2012 and 2013’s incredibly successful Umoja participants proved that there are many unearthed gems in the country, waiting to be discovered. Last year we had the likes of Tafadzwa Marova, Mutsa Gudhlanga, Mangoma Moyo, Blessed Rukweza, Maylene Chenjerai, McIntosh Jerahuni and Farai Kuzvidza.
Before that there were Deon Picardo, Thelma Chibanda, Donald Kanyuchi, Blessing Chimanga, Eve Kawadza, Munya Mataruse, John Pfumojena, Rutendo Machiridza, Osborne Matengenzara and Arnold Chisandure, who took the country by storm and have now launched their own individual careers. We are excited to see how their rise to stardom will inspire other singers and dancers to brave the judges and maybe follow in their footsteps.”
The judges this year included past Umoja participants Elisha Herema, Hope Masike, Tsitsi Tizora, Tendai Madzviti plus Rufus Maculuve from Mozambique and Koen Schyvens from the Netherlands.
Examples of past Umoja contestants who have launched their own music careers include Thanda “Fifi” Richardson, Hope Masike, Vimbai Zimuto, Onai Mutizwa and Charles Chipanga, who have all released their debut albums. Hope Masike has so far released two albums “Hope” and “Mbira, Love and Chocolate” on her own label.
Gospel musician Charles Chipanga, who with his wife Namatayi, Onai Mutizwa and Vimbai Zimuto were until recently members of Oliver Mtukudzi’s Black Spirits. Charles has just clinched a very lucrative deal with EMI Records, one of the best record companies in South Africa. His debut album, “Prayer Expose (Namatayi)”, has carved him a niche on the South African market.
Zimbabwean citizens between the ages of 16 and 30 (on the day of their audition) were eligible to enter Umoja 2013. The only requirement at registration was to state whether one had a passport or not because this year’s Umoja will travel to South Africa where the Zimbabwean delegation will showcase their talent in September.
A list of shortlisted candidates appears below although only 16 of them will participate in Umoja events this year while the rest are on standby.
Silent Mhendera, Gram Mukwarimba, Ignation Nhaku, Alister Zimbandu, Garvin Ndlovu, William Phiri, Zanele Manhenga, Anyway Mushayavanhu, Desire Mudadi, Tadairwa Masore, Steven Ngeni, Jacqueline Mpofu, Daniel Mususa, Tinashe Jani, Ernest Nyamuteya, Luke Kamanga, Masimba Manjengwa, Natash Durawo, Tatenda Kahwa, Collins Nzira, Nelly Masendeke, Ronald Chinyepa, Marlon Macebo, Terrence Kwenda, Nyasha Kachekana, Sevy Akupa, Nigel Thom, Alistair Zimbandu, Luckson Dutuma, Raymond Tatenda Mupfumira, Godfrey Gurure, Tinashe Muza, Peter Lenso, Gabriel Akupa, Victor Sigauke, Mark Makuya, Mutsawashe Gudlanga, Osborrne Matenganzara, Tendai Lameck Madzviti, Silent Nhendere, Ronald Chiyepa, Tinotenda Manyowa, Nomvuyo Dube, Nomvula Dube, Samantha Muvami, Florence Muteta, Peter Lenso, Ali Bauti, Tinashe Chiku and Garvin Gwatidzo
Umoja is the Swahili word for “unity” or “the spirit of togetherness’’. It is also the name of the Cultural Flying Carpet programme sweeping over the southern and eastern parts of Africa. There are eight countries involved now, namely Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Norway.
The spirit of togetherness flows from the drums, the Umoja symbol, beating at every rehearsal, workshop, dance, concert, musical score . . . virtually all Umoja productions and activities. The heartbeat of the drum is central to Umoja activities. It’s the sound that reverberates in the bodies and souls of participants and audiences alike, and manifests itself into musical creations inspired by the students.
Umoja Cultural Flying Carpet, as the programme is referred to, is the brainchild of Wilhelm Dahl and the Norwegian National Organisation of Cultural Schools, Norsk Kulturskolerad. Some 16 years ago, as director of the Cultural Schools Organisation, Wilhelm felt there was something missing in the schools arts programmes. He devised a project integrating positive art and cultural energy, into the everyday school environment. What began as a small pilot project developed into a national programme; the same as exists today in many of the Norwegian primary and secondary schools.
The Ministry of Education in Zimbabwe should be alerted and take action to this idea of incorporating the arts and culture in every school in the country as experiences gained through the study of arts and culture have proved to be of educational value to humanity. This way, the students will be aware of their own culture as well as the cultures of other nationalities while at the same time increasing their awareness and perception of the world around them.
What is needed is a clear message to education authorities that music education programmes in the schools help our kids and communities in real and substantial ways.
When presented with the many and manifest benefits of music education, officials at all levels should universally support a full, balanced, sequential course of music instruction taught by qualified teachers and every student will have an education in the arts.
Each of us wants our children and the children of all those around us to achieve success in school, success in employment, and success in the social structures through which we move. But we also want our children to experience “success” on a broader scale. Participation in music, based on grounding in music education during the formative school years, brings countless psychological, spiritual and physiological benefits to each individual throughout life.
This year’s Umoja programmes will include performances in secondary schools where awareness and inspiration of cultural activities will be brought alive to students and to the public through free concerts which will take place throughout the country.
These activities will be broadcast on ZBC’s television channel on New Year’s Eve.
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