The Sunday News
Bruce Ndlovu
JEYS Marabini has a dream. One day, in the not too distant future, he wants to see strange faces all over Filabusi, faces that have never been seen before in the small Matabeleland South town.
Jeys Marabini wants to see feet that have never set foot in Filabusi taste the dust of the area as they dance to the sounds of some of Zimbabwe and Africa’s finest musicians.
It’s an ambitious dream and before he achieves it Jeys is aware that he needs to toil and put in the hard yards.
On Saturday this week, Jeys takes a key step on what is bound to be a long and arduous journey when he hosts the second edition of the UGodlwayo Yithi Music Festival set to be held at the Filabusi Community Hall.
With economic hardships times are tough, something that has not deterred Marabini who has been encouraged by how smoothly preparations for the 3 November gig have been.
“The preparations have gone well. We’ve been cleared by authorities there including the police while Zesa has also given us assurances that everything will go smoothly on the night in terms of power supply,” he told Sunday Life in an interview.
Over the years, artistes have had a tendency to put all their eggs in one basket, as they concentrate on shows in the major cities where they believe they have the greatest chance of attracting revellers.
This has effectively meant that the country’s remote areas are starved of high quality entertainment. This has created a thirst for live entertainment, a thirst that Jeys is only happy to quench.
“People are really looking forward to this show because it is one of the biggest events in Filabusi. It’s a highlight of many people’s year. We want to thank the people of Filabusi for the support that they’ve given us. We’re saying that more needs to done if we’re to elevate the level of entertainment in Filabusi and elsewhere in the region,” he said.
A lot has happened since the festival held its first edition last year and while the country is battling economically, Marabini is hopeful that the fest, which will feature artistes like Indosakusa:The Morning Star, Khuxxman, Hwabaraty, Ndwangu, Bhamuza, Bheki Mageza, Gospel Diva and the Sisters of Paradise, Kwejani Band, Gaz’elimnyama, Iqhathanzipho, Insiza Express, Thuts Harsh Touch and Iyasa, will put a smile on people’s faces.
“I think this year we will have more people than we did last year and so we’re inviting everyone to come and see this musical extravaganza. Another thing I want to note is that this is a family show. This is why we chose a community hall as the venue so that everyone can have access rather than at a bar. The venue will also be well secure so anyone who feels like they want to come and enjoy with their loved ones can do so,” he said.
However, while he is sure that many will walk through the doors of Filabusi Community Hall on Saturday, for Marabini that is not the ultimate objective.
The musician who recently released his ninth album has his eye firmly set on the future and after hosting this year’s gig, wants to become one of the pioneers of music tourism in the country.
“My wish is that as time go on Filabusi becomes a place where music tourists come in November and enjoy the best music. That’s my vision. I wish to see people from other countries visiting Filabusi just for the music we will be dishing out and everything goes according to plan we will also be inviting musicians from other countries for future gigs,” he said.
