The Sunday News
EVERYONE has some talent, but what is rare is to discover it at a tender age and pursue it towards the fulfillment of one’s dreams.
Often people discover their abilities and talents at a later stage, having spent part of their lives with things they labour to do but this is not the case with one of the young but talented presenters Philip Moyo whose confidence and wit with the mic has carried his dreams.
Popularly known as Cde Phil, Moyo believes he has what it takes to be a great master of ceremony (MC) in the country.
Born and bred in Bulawayo’s oldest township, Makokoba, Cde Phil never allowed his low profile background to ruin what he wishes to become in life.
At only 20, Cde Phil, an Upper Six student at Northlea High School has already put his name on the spotlight and has officiated at a number of events which has since made him one of the youngest MCs in the city.
“I have presented at many festivals that include Inxusa Arts festival, Ibumba, Tshibilika, Jikinya national finals which were held last year at the Large City Hall and this year was my second time presenting at Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo,” he said.
Cde Phil was one of the presenters at the Isiphiwo Sami talent search by Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts (IYASA).
He said it was at last year’s Jikinya national finals which were held at the Large City Hall that put him into spotlight and since the event he has been invited to present at big events in the city.
“After presenting at Jikinya finals I have been invited to a number of occasions. Earlier this year I was called to be a presenter when the American musical group Blended 328 came to the city,” he said.
Cde Phil said the recently ended Intwasa has taught him a lot as a young presenter as he had time to rub shoulders with some of the industry’s greats such as Babongile Skhonjwa.
“Presenting at Intwasa was a great experience for me, I have learnt a lot from renowned MCs such as Skhonjwa and it was always my dream as a young presenter to present at bigger occasions like these.
“I was an MC at PLAN High School drama competitions which were held at Bulawayo Theatre, it was such an experience, I also presented at live literature project,” he said.
Apart from being an MC Cde Phil said he was also an actor and a poetry writer. He featured in a theatre production Nyaminyami at Amakhosi where he acted as Mahalf, part of the students mob at campus.
Cde Phil said he was once a member of Nhimbe Trust where he was trained as an actor by Raisedon Baya and Memory Kumbota whom he said played an integral part in the transformation of his life and taught him to set goals in life.
“Not only am I a presenter, I am also an actor and I write poetry. I have acted in a drama at Amakhosi called Nyaminyami,” he said.
“I would like to give credit to Raisedon Baya who has shown so much confidence in me, he has encouraged me to be a presenter and has supported me from day one.
“I would also like to give credit to my role model Babongile Skhonjwa who has encouraged me to pursue my dream and not forgetting Cont Mhlanga who has given me the platform to do what I can do best,” he said.
Cde Phil’s dream is to become one of the best MCs in the country and host a television show.
He also advised other Zimbabwean youths to always believe in themselves and do what they can do best and let nothing discourage them in pursuing their dreams.
“Don’t let your background interfere with your destiny! Let today be the day you stop being a victim of your circumstances and start taking action towards the life you want.
“You have the power and the time to shape your life. Break free from the victim mentality and embrace the truth of your greatness. You were not meant for a mundane or mediocre life,” he said.
Cde Phil said he was currently the main presenter of plays on Sunday at Amakhosi Cultural Centre.
