Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube, [email protected]
BULAWAYO’s Gwijo music movement is gaining momentum, with the genre increasingly finding a home among young vocal groups.
The rise was on full display on Friday when 12 groups converged at Bellevue UCCSA for the inaugural Voices of Bulawayo Gwijo/Acapella Festival, bringing together some of the city’s leading Gwijo and acapella ensembles under one roof.
Organised by Shinning Soulz Gwijo Nation, the festival was held under the theme, “One Voice, One Heart, One Mandate, One Bulawayo”. The participating groups were Vocal Fusion, Rising Stars, Emsumbeni, The Melodies,
Royal Voices Official, Deep Voices, Gwijo Melodies, Apex Harmony, Young Vocals, Amakwerekwere, Gwijo Zim Nation and Shinning Soulz.
The festival culminated in a showcase of vocal talent, with Gwijo Zim Nation taking first place and The Melodies finishing second.
Gwijo is a traditional form of collective a cappella singing built around call-and-response. One lead singer or “caller” starts a line, and a group answers in harmony, creating a musical dialogue. Deeply rooted in Xhosa culture, the genre relies on the human voice rather than instruments and has traditionally been used to express shared emotions and strengthen communal bonds at occasions ranging from celebrations and funerals to sporting events.
In Bulawayo, however, the genre is increasingly moving beyond its traditional spaces and gaining traction as a contemporary performance form, particularly among young vocalists.
Speaking after the festival, Gwijo Zim Nation representative Innocent Sibanda said the event was created specifically to give the genre greater visibility.
“Gwijo Acapella Festival is a festival that was created to amplify Gwijo music specifically,” said Sibanda.
He said the gathering also provided an opportunity for groups with similar beginnings and experiences to celebrate their shared passion for the genre.
“What inspired me is that I discovered there are many groups with similar stories like us, hence we decided to move with them as we enjoy this Gwijo,” he said.
The organisers themselves have a story that mirrors the growth of the movement. Shinning Soulz traces its roots to
Tennyson Hlabangana High School, where the group was formed in a dormitory before developing into the ensemble it is today.
For Sibanda, the significance of the festival went beyond crowning winners. It was about carving out space for Gwijo within Bulawayo’s diverse music landscape. The festival also highlighted the growing pool of young talent taking up
Gwijo and acapella singing, with groups using their voices to create intricate performances without relying on conventional instrumentation.
The organisers believe that bringing the groups together could help nurture collaboration, improve standards and give performers greater opportunities to grow.
