The Sunday Mail
Tendai Chara
FOR sungura musician Mark Ngwazi, performing at the Independence Gala at Murambinda B Primary School in Buhera on Thursday will be a double celebration as he will also be marking his birthday.
The Njanja Express frontman was born on April 18, 1988 in Mount St Mary’s, Hwedza.
Apart from the double celebration, Ngwazi is also motivated by the fact that he will perform in Buhera, a place he considers his “home ground”.
“I grew up in Chikomba, which is not far from Murambinda. I know that most of the people I grew up with in the area (Chikomba) will attend the gala. This motivates me and my band members,” he said.
The singer urged those who live in the vicinity to take advantage of the gala and watch the country’s top artistes perform live.
“I have fans who have never seen me performing live for one reason or the other. This is their time to come and watch me live in action. I swear I will not disappoint them.”
For Simon Mutambi, performing at the Independence Gala means a lot.
“For me to roam around the country, performing live, it is because of the freedom that was brought about by independence. Performing at the gala is one way that I will be showing my appreciation for the sacrifices that were made by the sons and daughters of this country, both living and dead,” the Cobra Kings frontman said.
Simon Mutambi
The gala is part of broader Independence Day celebrations.
This year’s celebrations will be held under the theme “Zim@44: Unity, Peace, Development towards Vision 30”.
Upcoming musicians, who were drawn from all the corners of the country, will also showcase their talent as they wish to upstage the well-known artistes.
Bigboy “Mr Muzarabani” Motsi, who leads the Muzarabani Sounds, is one of the virtually unknown musicians who have been given an opportunity to shine.
Jairos Mtetwa Mutambikwa, who hails from Honde Valley in Manicaland, will also perform before the anticipated large crowd.
Mutare-based Simbarashe Gift Muchita, who is a product of the Music Crossroads and the Chibuku Road to Fame, will also perform for the first time at a national event.
With five albums under his belt, Muchita, who remains largely unknown, would definitely want to seize the opportunity to market his brand.
Mr George Chisoko, the director of media services in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, said the stage is set for this year’s edition of the gala.
“Preparations for the musical gala are going on very well, with all selected artistes promising scintillating and captivating performances to commemorate the sacrifices of the sons and daughters who took up arms to fight the colonial establishment,” he said.
“It is going to be a night of song and dance, paying particular tribute to the living and dead freedom fighters who liberated the country from the yoke of colonialism.
“Remember, thousands of people sacrificed their lives for us to be independent and be able to move freely in our country without any restrictions.”
A total of 20 artistes are set to perform.
Among the top artistes who will perform are Chief Hwenje, Suluman Chimbetu, Andy Muridzo, DJ Fantan, Sandra Ndebele and gospel musician Agatha Murudzwa.
Jah Master will represent the Zimdancehall genre.
Veteran sungura musician Nicholas Zacharia, gospel singer Mathias Mhere, Tambaoga, Takura, Bio Mudimba and Kanindo star Shantel Sithole will also showcase their talents.
Diana Samkange and Tswai Tswai will also take to the stage.
The Independence Gala will present a rare opportunity for some Buhera residents to witness the country’s top musicians live on stage.
It will certainly be a night to remember as Zimbabwe celebrates 44 years of self-rule.
