The Sunday News
Mbongeni Msimanga Sunday Leisure Correspondent
IT’S quite a rare phenomenon for youthful music groups to sing in native languages, let alone the minority language of Tonga. Well, it is a different story for a Victoria Falls-based group, Kweseka, that has decided to take a different path in gaining popularity, as they attempt to break into the showbiz industry.
Last year, adding to their growing reputation, the group managed to land second position in the national Chibuku Road to Fame Competition.
It is perhaps through this motivation that they seek to promote their culture and language through music.
Possibly taking after their predecessors, Afro-Fusion band, Mokoomba, Kweseka, which also comes from the majestic Victoria Falls, yearn for worldwide recognition.
“We have only been performing in Victoria Falls. Last year we came out second best in the Chibuku Road to Fame Competition. Our music is mainly in Tonga and we want to break into the showbiz using our language,” said Nicholas Marco, the band’s manager.
Kweseka believe they can make a breakthrough if they are given the chance to perform at festivals such as Intwasa Arts Festival KoBulawayo. Their debut performance in Bulawayo at Cape to Cairo recently drew the attention of tourists — a phenomen that suggested that they were destined to be at the top of the showbiz industry soon.
“We would love to perform at festivals such as Intwasa Arts Festival as we believe we can make a breakthrough at such a platform. Tourists even in Victoria Falls are drawn to our performances,” said Marco.
The youthful group has six members, with the youngest member, Simon Masendeke aged 14 and the oldest, Granger Maseko aged 23. Their aim is be custodians of Tonga music as it tells a story of their culture.
Although there are other genres such as Zimdancehall that have taken the showbiz industry by storm, Marco said they did not fear competition as the sky is the limit to them.
“We are not afraid of competition as we know our music is unique and will be liked by many. Currently our group is composed of six members,” he said.
With the advantage of having opportunities of practising with internationally acclaimed group Makoomba, they are hoping to learn some skills that will draw crowds to their shows.
“We practice with Makoomba at times and exchange ideas. We have learnt and are still learning a lot from them and someday we hope to get to the level that they are,” said Marco.
