The Sunday News
THIS week I wanted this column to focus on Family Voices — their album launch, the quality of the album itself, the wonderful and uplifting show and how we suddenly all wanted to get closer to Muvhango celebrities who were in town. I wanted to tell you, dear reader, why I still think Babongile Skhonjwa is at the top of his game as far as MCeing events are concerned.
I know most “church people” cringed when they heard Skhonjwa would be one of the MCs of the day. But he came on stage and proved that he is a master of the game and kept most of the crowds that attended the Family Voices album launch at the Family of God Church in stitches throughout the evening. The beauty of Skhonjwa’s humour that night was it had everyone laughing — celebrities, ministers, bodyguards, church elders, youths and children. Who else can do that?
I wanted to tell you, dear readers, about the celebrity effect. How the Muvhango “chief” melted hearts and proved that artistes can bring together people from different social classes. The “chief” also debunked one myth — that actors are not educated and cannot be taken seriously. There was the honourable Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Nomthandazo Eunice Sandi-Moyo warming up to the stars and even standing up to shake her body in enjoyment.
There she was laughing and sharing jokes with the audience! I wanted to use this space to salute the organisational skills of producer and promoter Saimon Mambazo Phiri — he was always running in the background. After the show I remember someone tweeting that Saimon Mambazo Phiri is a game changer.
I also want to talk about Eric Moyo and how the talented musician is finally getting his groove back — musically that is. I wanted to tell you, dear reader, how Lindelani Mkhize saw Family Voices and could not believe the talent that resides in Bulawayo. I wanted to tell you how, when Eric Moyo walked on stage, Lindelani Mkhize found his lost boy and declared that Eric would be the next addition to Joyous Celebration and the second Zimbabwean on the popular choir.
I wanted to dedicate this Sunday article to the Harvest House Clash of Choirs that saw gospel gurus the likes of Baba na Amai Charamba and Lindelani Mkhize of Joyous Celebration coming to the City of Kings. I wanted to tell you how churches seem to be raising the bar in terms of event organisations. To describe to you the beautiful and spiritually uplifting music that filled my ears and heart last week.
I wanted to dedicate this week to the BAZ public hearings that took place at Rainbow Hotel. How the three commercial radio stations — Skyz Fm, Skyz Metro and Skies Fm faired in their presentations. I wanted to tell you, dear readers, about the tough commission with its tough questions led by the old and wise Tafataona Mahoso. I wanted you to know how the hearings almost looked like a political rally with some applicants bringing in hired crowds. I wanted to tell you how some of the questions from the hired guns or crowds became more personal and insulting. However, other writers and columnists have already done detailed articles on that and so will focus on something else.
Since Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo is two weeks away let me tell you about two shows you must not miss. Make sure you don’t miss Bayethe Bulawayo Concert featuring a number of top artistes at the Large City Hall on 26 September. Some of the artistes billed to perform on the night include Sulumani Chimbetu, Ndolwane Super Sounds, Sandra Ndebele, Iyasa, Edith We Utonga, Rute Mbanga and Tina Watyoka. A musical band from Durban is also expected to be part of the line. The Bayethe Bulawayo Concert was part of Bulawayo’s 120 years celebration. Also note that the much travelled and band of the moment Mokoomba is heading for Intwasa and will be performing on the last day of the festival. So be part of the celebrations.
