The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Life Reporter
THE Bulawayo Theatre will on 30 December reverberate to melodious harmonies of renowned all-male imbube outfit — Imbizo Performing Arts, which will be celebrating its silver jubilee.
The group, originally from Filabusi, comprises former Dekezi Secondary School pupils was formed in 1991.
“We are one of the country’s well established imbube groups. We have been in existence for the past 25 years and have toured half the world. We will be hosting our celebrations in Bulawayo as a way of paying homage to our fans based here,” said Ozias Gwelu the group’s spokesperson.
Despite the group moving to neighbouring South Africa 10 years ago, it has returned home and seeks to rekindle the genre.
The 16-member group has performed in countries such as the United States, Spain, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Greece and China.
Imbube is a form of traditional acapella, which was made popular in South Africa by groups such as Lady Smith Black Mambazo and in Zimbabwe by outfits such as Amabhubesi and Black Umfolosi.
“We moved to South Africa in an effort to widen our market regionally, though we were always in the country for shows and other events. We returned at the request of our fans and also to revive the genre and possibly make the genre popular once again,” said Gwelu.
He said the genre wasn’t dead but lacked a platform to see it grow to be one of the biggest, as it deserves.
“Imbube caters for all age groups; it appeals to everyone,” said Gwelu.
Imbizo has released five albums since it was established in 1991.
“To date we have five albums, namely Lude Uhambo- 1999, Malombolombo – 2000, Umhlaba Uyasika – 2003, Wemakholwa – 2008 and Uhambo – 2015. We are presently working on our latest, which will be released soon,” said Gwelu.
He said they were calling on other imbube groups to come and perform at the celebrations.
“Tickets are already available and can be found at Max Hardware in Bulawayo. There will also be other souvenirs on sale at the concert,” said Gwelu.
@peterkmatika
