UNITED Kingdom-based guitarist and university lecturer Sham “Matombo” Torindo recently launched the Manicaland Afro-Music Festival at Manicaland Motoring Club, setting a platform for emerging and established artistes in the province to showcase their talent.
BY TAFADZWA KACHIKO
Matombo co-founded the festival with his nephew Takunda “Trapper” Torindo and the duo launched albums Restoration Zimbabwe and Nyazvi Dzetsvimbo, respectively.
One of the festival organisers, Amanda Ranganawa, said they had a good turnout at the launch last week.
“We had spectacular performances from Stunner, Extra Large, Sham and Trapper. Many enjoyed Trapper’s performance since they were more acquainted with his songs such as Maidei and Better that topped Diamond FM chart shows for months,” she said.
Ranganawa said the festival would be held annually and would also accommodate dancers, poets and comedians.
“We are doing this next year again, hopefully at a much bigger venue. We have already started engaging the corporate world for funding since this inaugural event was fully-funded by Matombo,” she said.
She added that they were also targeting artistes from the province who have relocated to Harare and those in the Diaspora “to attract more audiences”.
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“When Sham visited last year, he discovered that there were no festivals in the province that link artistes with potential audiences. At that time, Trapper was grooming youngsters. The two, therefore, decided to create this festival to celebrate and promote existing local talent and upcoming musicians.”
The festival was supported by several artistes, including Stunner, Extra Large, , Tswai Tswai, DJ Kingsley, DJ2lan, DJ Mshez, DJ Stallo, Alpha, G, Kay, Young Ice, T Jones, Mystry, Boi K, Women Flexxer, Snazzie Brown, Wisky Caltreez, Dearly, G Black, Evonzo, Drastic, Faith Kakata, Queez and Trent.
