admin
Talent Chimutambgi Arts Reporter
The Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZIMA) has appointed Fungai Zvirawa as the new chief executive officer.
Zvirawa who is affectionately known as “Kush”, took over from Reason Sibanda who steered the music related body for the past five years.
ZIMA chairperson Joseph Nyadzayo said Zvirawa has vast experience, having worked with internationally acclaimed artistes.
“The Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZIMA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Fungai Zvirawa as its new Chief Executive Officer. Fungai has a robust background spanning over a decade in the music industry. Ms Zvirawa brings with her a wealth of experience in artiste management, event organisation and the creation of innovative campaigns that seamlessly blend the creative and corporate realms,” said Nyadzayo.
“Kush has vast experience; she came in as an internationally accredited figure having worked with great people in the industry. Coming in from the United Kingdom, she will actually make ZIMA attain global accolades,” he said.
Nyadzayo said Kush came to deliver and to prop up the music awards body to higher levels.
“We know Kush is a deliverer and a hard worker, we had a run with her during the last edition. She was part of the team to familiarise her with the system. To appoint her, we are actually sure that she has what it takes to head ZIMA. Kush has other successes in advertising, even in the music industry” said Nyadzayo.
In her acceptance speech Kush promised to deliver and to upscale the status of musicians with the locals being the first port of call.
“I’m very excited with the new appointment that I now have, my vision is to give the music awards a new dimension and to continue enhancing and adding value to Zimbabwe Music Awards.”
“I started the journey last year as an executive director. I will continue to connect Zimbabwe with the rest of the world,” said Kush.
Kush said the ZIMA awards ceremony will be announced in a fortnight.
“In a couple of weeks, we will announce the roadmap of music awards,” she said.
The outgoing CEO Sibanda pledged to render support to his successor, adding he was sure about her credentials.
“I’m glad that we have considered a culture of allowing new ideas to come in to take ZIMA to the next level. I will render a lot of support to Kush and I have much confidence in her,” said Sibanda.
“I organised virtual awards during the Covid-19 era as an attempt to ensure continuity of our annual programmes. It was quite challenging to take a risk under such circumstances,” said Sibanda.
During his tenure, Sibanda facilitated the acquisition of proper accommodation for the late Chimurenga music guru Dick Chingaira, who was affectionately known as Cde Chinx Chingaira.
“The Hondo Yeminda” hit-maker made his music penetrate into the minds of young people born after the liberation struggle, through his songs which supported the Land Reform Programme. Cde Chinx was accorded liberation war hero status.
Online Reporter