The Sunday News
Bruce Chimani Sunday Leisure Correspondent
WOULD listening to a Zimbabwean version of 50 Cent’s 2003 hit, In Da Club, raise your moods on a dull day? How about hearing a squeaky-voiced “female” giving the most horrendous tips on what to do on Valentine’s Day? These feats and many more have been the staple diet for a sizeable number of locals who have taken to Facebook page, Team Bulawayo, for their regular dose of amusement.
The page, opened late last year, has rolled an incredible 7 468 likes as of last Wednesday.
Comprising of Futurelove Sibanda and Vusa Mkhaya, the page seems to be bringing plenty smiles on many-a-face.
“Team Bulawayo is made up of Futurelove Sibanda and Vusa Mkhaya. We are both born and bred in Bulawayo and currently based in Vienna, Austria. We were sitting at the Vienna International Airport on the 27th December 2014 on our way to Rome, Italy and we were watching videos on Facebook and YouTube. We just decided there and there to record our own videos using an iPhone and upload them online. We also decided on that day to call ourselves Team Bulawayo,” Mkhaya revealed.
Mkhaya is a member of the award winning Zimbabwean vocal trio Insingizi. An accomplished songwriter, Vusa tells stories through his music in a manner and style that not only epitomises his love for music, but his identity as a true master of African sound — all this can be felt in the form of parody in the music that is posted on the Team Bulawayo page.
“We thought it was a good idea to have fun with other Zimbabweans especially those in the diaspora who are missing home and also need a good laugh after a hard day at work. We had no idea that this was going to turn out the way it has turned out because now we have a huge following not only from Zimbabweans but from a mixed audience,” he added.
Futurelove Sibanda is a beloved artist in the city as he is one of the founding members of the multi-award winning Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts. On the page, he also features as Uglyshia not so good looking female character who is comic to watch.
“We distribute our videos on Facebook and WhatsApp because we believe that these two platforms are available to almost every adult for free and they can share the videos to their friends and families without paying any fees. We believe that we have created space for people to come and laugh and also socialise with each other,” said Sibanda.
The duo is stoked at the response they have heard and encouraged locals to take up opportunities they have express their creativity.
“The response has been amazing. We were not expecting it to be the way it is and are grateful that the number of fans on our page keeps growing everyday. In future you could expect more educational comedy and entertainment. We are also planning to take the Team Bulawayo act on stage soon. Our partying shot is to say thank you to all those who have been following us since day one. If you have an idea, don’t be afraid to go for it. No matter how stupid you think it is, just try. You can always try again if it doesn’t work,” he noted.
