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Mthokozisi Ncube, Sunday Life Reporter
ICONIC musician Sikhululekile “Sku” Mpofu returned to the national stage this past weekend and owned it, delivering an outstanding performance at the 24th National Arts Merit Awards (Namas) that left fans and fellow artistes spellbound.
The awards showcase was held at the Harare International Conference Centre on Saturday evening and saw various creatives being honoured.
The veteran singer, who had been on hiatus, focusing more on family, rose to fame during the Urban Grooves era in the early 2000s. She shared the Nama stage with Plaxedes Wenyika, Dino Mudondo and Alexio Kawara in a medley that became one of the night’s standout moments, performing her hit track, Ungowami.
In an interview, she described the Nama experience as a whirlwind of emotions.
“I felt ecstatic, like a two-year-old on Christmas morning with a brand-new toy! Goosebumps ran down my spine at first, but I reminded myself, ‘He travels furthest who travels alone, if he knows the way.’ I have walked this path before and understand the music industry’s ups and downs,” she said.
Performing at a major national event like the Namas marked a significant milestone for Sku.
“Being recognised and honoured to grace such a big national event was a tremendous honour for me,” she said. Reflecting on reuniting with fellow Urban Grooves musicians, she said, “I was extremely happy, it felt warm and tender, reminiscing about the old days. Honestly, it felt so good.”
For her, the overall Nama experience was magnificent.
“The way things were done this time was just out of this world. The atmosphere was pleasant. There was a period when I wasn’t okay because my dad hadn’t been well since early February, I even got sick worrying about him. But the organisers, fellow musicians — both new and old — put me at ease and I managed to contain my emotions.
“I also received valuable tips from my fellow Urban Groovers on handling my comeback. The performance itself was amazing, overall, it exceeded my expectations.”
With just two days to rehearse, Sku shared the importance of preparation.
“I was given a sample video to practice the moves and rehearsed with the dancers on Thursday and Friday. The result was better imagined than described,” she said.
It all paid off, as the audience’s reaction left a lasting impression on the artiste.
“I was particularly impressed by the reception. The audience followed my moves and mimicked my singing, which gave me immense satisfaction. I was moved to see that the audience still connected with my music. It made me realise that my music has truly stood the test of time.”
After her show-stopping performance, fans have been eager to know if this marks a full-time return to music. In a previous interview, Sku clarified that her Nama appearance was not just a nostalgic cameo but a renewed commitment to her craft. She hinted that she is brewing something big for the music industry, but did not reveal any further details.
If Saturday’s performance is anything to go by, the queen may be ready to reclaim her throne.
Online Reporter