The Sunday News
Pabalelo Tlou Sunday Leisure Reporter
BULAWAYO based acapella group, Family Voices currently in South Africa, had a glimpse of an acting experience as they had an opportunity to feature on last Thursday’s episode of South Africa’s famous drama – Muvhango, screened on SABC 2.The group had visited the neighbouring country to work on their upcoming album and to minister in South African churches when they were offered a role to sing at a wedding during the episode. They did not disappoint as they managed to put a spirited performance that almost made them fit to be part of the cast.
The eight-member group was invited to join the Muvhango family in celebrating its 2 000 episode mark on SA screens. The first episode was aired on 7 April 1997 and by then it was the first Venda language TV drama which later became multi-lingual for commercial reasons.
In the Thursday episode, the group was given the role to sing at Thandaza and Ranthumeng’s wedding. Clad in golden suits the group sang a harmonious and impressive Shona song which made the Vendas nod their heads in admiration even if they couldn’t understand a single word.
In a telephone interview, one of the group members Emmanuel Chakuchichi said they didn’t expect to feature in a famous soap like Muvhango but they believed God was working miracles for them.
The group left for South Africa two months ago where they have been performing at a number of churches and that’s where their opportunity to feature on the soapie came by.
“We did not apply for the scene. We were ministering in one of South Africa’s churches and some directors of Muvhango were impressed and they approached us after our performance and asked if we were interested in featuring in the soapie,” said Chakuchichi.
He said it was an exhilarating experience mingling with SA stars and expressed his delight of being recognised by bigger brands in the entertainment circles.
“We felt so appreciated, we were just perfect out there, there was no difference between us and them, we just worked as a unity,” he said.
The group has also been promised some slots in other soapies and dramas in South Africa.
Chakuchichi said, however, the group had no intentions whatsoever to divert their attention from singing to acting.
“We have got no intentions to divert our talent to acting, our main focus is on music but we will greatly appreciate it when we are given opportunities to feature in other soapies and dramas,” said Chakuchichi.
He said their album would come out this month but they were yet to come up with its title.
