US$15k FOR SEVEN LOCAL ARTISTS

Maria Chiguvari

SEVEN local artists have received US$15 000 from Ambassador Eddy Branson and the Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife John Paradza.

It follows their performance at the SWAN Valley cigarettes launch ceremony at Rufaro Stadium on Saturday.

The event attracted more than 25 000 people.

Ambassador Branson and Deputy Min Paradza were present during the performances and both pledged to support the artists.

Hwinza, Kinnah, Silent Killer, Khonangale, Sharks, DJ Fantan and Levels are the artists who received the money.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the SWAN Valley Group offices, DJ Fantan said he was grateful to the organisers of the event as it brought different artists onto one stage.

“As artists are grateful to the SWAN family for organising such an event, not only did they bring life to Mbare but they managed to bring different artists to perform onto a single stage.

“We are grateful for the money that was given to us,” he said.

The launch also featured some football matches.

The Dynamos and CAPS United Legends battled in the first match while there was a showdown between Zim a Musicians Select side and a Legends Select side.

The SWAN team also played against a Star FM side.

SWAN head of marketing, Victoria Ayisa, said the show was sold out as all the printed 25,000 tags were sold.

The new cigarette flavours introduced during the launch include Swan Toasted, Swan Menthol, Swan Classic Capsule, Swan Red, Swan Blue, Reign Toasted and Reign Menthol.