Chronicle Editor
Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
IN Africa, ancestral spirits are an important aspect of devotion, and in order to be given that title, a strong work ethic is required.
One man has reached that feat in Bulawayo. Step forward, Vusa Mkhaya! The “Ancestor” is set to host a one-man show at the forthcoming Intwasa Arts Festival KoBulawayo which is being held in its familiar month of September after being held in December last time.
From September 26 to 30, art enthusiasts will gather at the Bulawayo Theatre, the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) in Bulawayo, the Bulawayo Public Library, and other locations for an artistic experience filled with workshops, music, poetry, and theatre.
In an interview with our sister publication, Sunday News, the Austria-based singer said anyone who has not heard of his music will have an opportunity to sample his rich discography.
“The Vusa Mkhaya experience is a gig that will enable people coming to watch us, to sample our catalogue of music from all the four albums that I have recorded as Vusa Mkhaya,” he shared.
Mkhaya is the proverbial “a prophet is without honour in his hometown” type of guy. He has been a resident of Austria for a long time, making friends in the process and fine-tuning his showmanship.
“I have learnt a lot from my travelling and performances with other colleagues. One of the most important things is time management. This is why we always start our gigs on time in Bulawayo and most people are always shocked.
“If we say a gig starts at 7pm, we go on stage at 7pm, even if there are five or 10 people. Those who come late will join the party as it goes. We have to respect our audience all the time because they spend their time, money and energy to come to watch us perform, he said.
For the Intwasa show, Mkhaya will be in the company of his foreign friends and acquaintances, something he cherishes.
“Bringing colleagues from elsewhere to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe is good for the culture and for the music,” he shared.
Mkhaya demonstrated his creative prowess and physical endurance last year, with a two-week mini-Sadc Tour in October that included eight shows in six nations.
One of the organisers of the Intwasa gig, Nkululeko Nkala said the show will complement the flurry of activities lined up for the annual festival.
“The gig is part of the 2023 Intwasa Arts Festival programme. It’s part of the already confirmed events. We’re currently receiving letters of interest after we put up a call for artists and artworks to be part of the fiesta. We will then fill up the whole programme,” said Nkala.
“We’re also hard at work trying to get and engage partners for the festival as a whole. Some of the tickets for shows like the Vusa Mkhaya experience should be out soon,” he said. – @MbuleloMpofu.
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