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Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
A galaxy of artistes from across all genres are lined up to send Rusape’s Vengere Stadium into reverberation on Tuesday night during the Heroes Gala.
The artistes will join thousands of people who are expected to throng the stadium in honour of the gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who sacrificed their lives to liberate the country from the jaws of colonialism.
The Heroes Gala will be the first national music fete to be held in Rusape, which is a true testimony of the Second Republic’s devolution agenda.
Among many others, artistes billed to perform include Suluman Chimbetu, the Cheso Boys, the Police Band, Nicholas Zachariah, Dorcas Moyo, Agatha Murudzwa, Chief Hwenje, Ma-nine, Bio Mudimba, DJ Fantan, Mathias Mhere, Iyasa, Michael Mahendere, Enzo Ishall, Mambo Dhuterere, Tambaoga, Romeo Gasa and Mark Ngwazi.
Red hot Alick Macheso’s sons, the Cheso Boys; veteran artiste Zakaria and the evergreen Ngwazi of the ‘Nyaradzo Yababa’ fame are expected to thrill fans with a sungura feel.
Fans will also be spiritually nourished with gospel beats from Murudzwa, Moyo, Mhere, Dhuterere and Mahendere.
The Kujatajata hit-maker, Bio DT Mudimba, is also expected to thrill fans with his silky voice, while the energetic Police Band and the effervescent Zim dancehall crooner, Enzo Ishall, are expected to give fans something to remember for a long time to come.
Artistes interviewed this week said they are looking forward to creating a carnival experience.
“It is a special day of the year when we honour the gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who sacrificed their lives for us to be where we are today. For us to be free like this, it is because of them. Therefore, this is a special period for us to honour them through music,” said Chimbetu.
Dorcas Moyo, who is currently riding high with danceable, yet soulful songs from her recently-released scorcher project, ‘Mhanza Haisekwe’, said: “We are honoured to be part of such special festivities. We are geared up for the event as we celebrate the lives of the gallant fighters who took it upon themselves to free the country.”
One of the tried and tested gospel divas, Murudzwa, who is not new to such national carnivals, said she is looking forward to a date with her fans as they celebrate the special day.
“I feel excited and honoured to be part of this event. Our fathers celebrated this day with honour, even when we were still young. We are happy that the event has been taken to Rusape. It means a lot to us as Manicaland artistes. We also thank God for according us the chance to celebrate our heroes. May their souls continue to rest in peace,” said Murudzwa.
The running order for artistes is expected to be rolled out to them a few days before the event which will run all night through.
The event will run under the theme ‘Remembering Our Heroes – Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo/Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo’.
Heroes Gala in Rusape is befitting as Makoni District was one of the areas that bore the most brunt of colonial cruelty due to the high presence of white commercial farmers in the area.
The Rhodesian Forces turned Castle Base Kop in Rusape into a torture camp where hundreds of innocent civilians, including women and children, were raped, tortured, killed and buried in shallow graves.
Online Reporter