Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube [email protected]
Bulawayo is gearing up for the Africa Rising: A Voice for the New World, a production by Festival of Song Zimbabwe (FOS) in partnership with the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
The concert is set for Saturday, May 23 ahead of Africa Day celebrations on Monday. Organisers say the event is more than just a concert, describing it as a cultural statement that seeks to amplify Africa’s voice through music, storytelling and artistic expression.
Speaking ahead of the showcase, Festival of Song Zimbabwe founder Joseph Ndhlovu said preparations were progressing well as anticipation continues to grow.
“The response from Bulawayo has been encouraging and we’re pushing hard in these final days. There’s a lot of excitement around the event because people are beginning to understand that Africa Rising is not just another concert, but a premium cultural experience designed to celebrate African excellence in a world-class way,” he said.
The concert will be headlined by the Bulawayo Choristers, one of Zimbabwe’s leading choral ensembles. They will be supported by award-winning artiste Acquillah K, alongside iHawu Lesizwe and Universal Melodies, bringing different musical styles to the production.
Ndhlovu said the event was created to present a different narrative about Africa.
“Africa Rising is about telling our story differently. For too long, Africa has often been presented through narratives of struggle and limitation, but this production seeks to shift that perspective by celebrating Africa as a continent of innovation, creativity, resilience and future possibility. Through music and artistic collaboration, we want audiences to feel inspired and connected to the beauty of African identity,” he said.
Ndhlovu said Festival of Song Zimbabwe is now growing beyond traditional choir competitions into a broader cultural movement.
“We’re building something bigger than performances. Festival of Song Zimbabwe is becoming a cultural movement that creates premium artistic experiences capable of attracting audiences, tourism stakeholders and investment into Zimbabwe’s creative sector. Africa Rising is another important chapter in that vision as we build towards the fifth edition of Festival of Song Zimbabwe,” he said.
