The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Leisure Correspondent
UMKHATHI Theatre and acapella outfit, Nobuntu came together and delivered an exquisite, exhilarating and captivating performance last Friday at the Bulawayo Theatre.
The two acts combined their strengths in the field of performing arts to give audiences a top drawer show as their mesmerising melodies, combined with high energy dances, created a spellbinding act.
Umkhathi are well known for their traditional dance shows that won them the Chibuku Neshamwari competition in 2013, while Nobuntu’s powerful vocal harmonies have enthralled audiences across the globe.
In the run up to the show, there were questions and doubts that their two divergent acts could work in harmony but from the moment the show started, the two groups seamlessly presented their piece, leaving the crowd eating from their hands.
The show opened with an intro of singing fused with percussion of stamping feet, a short ballet performance and Tsutsube dance accompanied by soft drumming of the mandobe drum which fades out for Nobuntu, who gave the audience a track with Umkhathi joining them towards the end of the song. The two groups then presented a well choreographed Isitshikitsha dance that was followed by Umkhathi showcasing the powerful warrior dance.
Nobuntu sang several songs that included a Mbira tune, a gospel song and a rendition of the famous Brenda Fassie’s Black President that drew wide applause from the almost full Bulawayo Theatre.
A bamboo sticks percussion dance, followed by an all-ladies performance led by Nobuntu and the Dinhe dance performed by Umkhathi ladies that made way for Umkhathi’s well choreographed gumboot act that transcends into other dances like ingquzu with Nobuntu is exerting their melodious tunes, all had the audience asking for more.
In the last act of the show, the song Narini, Umkhathi male dances flow into the stage joining Nobuntu as they showcase the popular amabhiza dance.
The show pleasantly illustrated the power of collaborations within the local arts community and it was a clear call to artists to work more together and bring each others’ strengths into an act.
Umkhathi director, Matesu Dube said the collaboration was born after his group featured in Nobuntu’s video for the song Narini, which in recent weeks was in top 5 in the DSTV’s Zambezi Magic TV, Zim Top Ten.
“The video made us realise that our combination of music and dance in a live show could produce a very good show. The collaboration is also aimed to do a show in the city of Bulawayo as these two groups rarely put up live performances due to different reasons ranging from financial support.
“We felt the advantage of the collabo would be that each group has its followers and can find an audience in those who love listening to music, dance lovers and those who love both music and dance,” he said.
Dube said they intend embarking on a national tour with the show following the successful premiere and are planning a longer run for the show in Bulawayo next year.
“We feel this show can make it big internationally and are making moves for it to go international. Through this show, we have learnt that collaborations bring fresh ideas and also broaden the knowledge of our artistes. Collaborations also brings artistes together and promotes the spirit of sharing,” he said.
