SIMUNIZIVA Band from Victoria Falls is the Matabeleland North provincial representative in the Chibuku Road to Fame Finals set for October 4 at a venue to be announced.
Simuniziva becomes the third band to make it to the finals after being adjudicated the best followed by Afro-fusion band AbeLifa, which came second and Zambezi Fusion, which was third at the Chinotimba Beerhall in Victoria Falls on August 30.
For their efforts, the three bands walked away with US$2 500 for the first prize, US$1 500 for the second prize and US$1 000 for the third prize, respectively.
Simuniziva joins Midlands winners Core Vibes and Mashonaland West’s ALL in ONE in the national finals, where winners will walk away with up to US$15 000 and a recording contract.
Simuniziva Band leader Leopatra Reid said they were elated and amazed with how their musical journey had turned out.
“As Simuniziva Band, we’ve poured countless hours into rehearsals, pushing through long and tireless sessions in preparation for this competition. Today, we are proud to stand tall representing Matabeleland North province,” Reid said.
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“Our music is a celebration of the cultures and languages that make up our community. Songs like Simuniziva, Lelo and Mvura Ngainaye are our heartfelt tribute to the people who inspire us and for that reason we were able to shine. This victory is not just ours, it belongs to our community.
“We carry Matabeleland North, we carry Zimbabwe and we carry our culture. This is bigger than music, this is Simuniziva and we are here to shine.”
Simuniziva Band members include Courage Mumpande (lead guitar), Tinotenda Mautsi (drummer), Maclean Phiri (bass guitar), Takudzwa Mutoko (keyboard), Cornwell Ndlovu (percussion), Audrey Maseko (vocalist) and Sandra Moyo (vocalist).
Afro-fusion band AbeLifa the Inheritors representative Bongani Sibanda said: “Being first runners up in such a fierce and tense competition felt like a huge achievement.
“Our genre is still all over the place as we are just starting our journey. I would best define it as African music with pop and jazz influences (Afro-fusion).
“The song that made us winners is Dedela, a song that seeks help from the Almighty from drug abuse, cancer, HIV and the so many diseases that affect African people.”
Speaking on behalf of third runners-up Zambezi Fusion, Prince Charles Khondowe said he was impressed by the adjudication and had many lessons to take home.
“I think it’s a good one, it unites and helps artistes to improve and develop their talents and earn a living as well,” he said.
With provincial contests ongoing, the competition is heating up as bands from across Zimbabwe compete under the theme Celebrating 25 Years of Discovering Talent.
Chibuku Road to Fame provincial competitions began on August 23 at Speedway Bar in Kadoma, where 20 bands from Midlands and Mashonaland West did not only compete, but entertain Chibuku drinkers.
The Midlands top three bands were Core Vibes (Afro-fusion), which came first, Ambassadors (Afro-fusion), which was second and Ecossa Rythms (sungura), which was adjudged third.
In their order from first to third position, the Mashonaland West top three bands were All in One (Afro-fusion), Boom Jazz (Contemporary) and Nhapi Tapi (Afro-fusion).
Delta Corporation is involved, through its principal subsidiary Delta Beverages, in the brewing of lager and traditional beer, and the bottling of soft drinks under licence from the Coca-Cola Company.
It operates one of the largest distribution depot networks and delivery fleets in Zimbabwe.
The group’s portfolio includes Castle, Carling Black Label, Chibuku, Chibuku Super, Castle Lite, Redd’s and Castle Milk Stout as well as leading local brands such as Golden Pilsner and Zambezi.
The Chibuku Road to Fame Calendar will continue as follows: Bands from Bulawayo and Matabeleland South compete on September 6 at the KoNjabulo Beerhall in Bulawayo.
Mashonaland East and Manicaland bands converge for their races on September 13 at the Pagomo Leisure Gardens in Marondera.
The Masvingo province bands meet on September 13 at the Hightown Night Club in Nyika.
And finally, Harare and Mashonaland Central meet on September 20 at Makuluwani Bar, Whitehouse in Harare.