The Sunday News
Sibongile Ndiweni, Sunday Life Reporter
ALL is set for Great Stars Ijongosi acapella music group to launch their self-titled album on Saturday at Bulawayo Theatre.
The album, which is titled Ijongosi, comprises of songs like Gomora, Emambale and Caroline. It is their fifth album that follows the Konke Kulungile album which they released in 2019.
Great Stars’ fifth album is self-titled as it ventures into the group’s life, their journey growing up in the village before making their way to Bulawayo.
Philani Donga, the director of the group said this was an album to look forward to as they gave more of their time and dedication to it. He said because of the coronavirus and lockdown they last released an album in 2019.
“This album will change the lives of the group members because I have faith in the dedication and effort we put to it,” he added.
Great stars Ijongosi is an extra ordinary music and dance ensemble that specialises in imbube or acapella music and some Southern African dances such as the Zulu dance, gumboot dance and isitshikitsha, among others.
It is based in Bulawayo, the Cultural capital of Zimbabwe. The group started as a church group in Silobela, Nkayi District, Matabeleland North province. Inspired by Black Umfolosi as well as Indosakusa and other imbube groups, lead singer and artistic director Donga transformed it to Great Stars Ijongosi in December 2011their name being an appreciation of the amazing light that is provided by the stars at night.
“The imbube group which is made up of eight energetic men was first formed as a means of self-employment during the situation of high levels of unemployment. It is self-taught and all the choreography is done jointly by the group members under the supervision of their lead singer and director.
They specialise in imbube to fully preserve it for the generations to come and because of their passion and dedication, they have made it to the international arena.
“The group has performed at big events like Ibumba Festival, Intwasa Festival, Bulawayo Arts Festival, and Chothoza Mfana Annual Event, among others.
Great Stars has also shared the stage and worked with any great artistes like Black Umfolosi, Jeys Marabini, Indosakusa, Sandra Ndebele, Vusa Mkhaya, Khayisa Dance Ensemble, Thandanani Women’s Ensemble, Gazi Elimnyama, Zinja Ziyamluma, and various maskandi artistes,” said the leader of the group.
