OCTOBER 4 shall remain memorable for some time for Hararians and representatives from all the country’s 10 provinces as the Chibuku Road to Fame national finals lived to its billing at Gwanzura Stadium.
Afro-fusion band Chitima, from Harare province, which entered the rivalry as a second competitor out of the 10 provincial winners, brushed aside its competitors, providing pace-setting entertainment to become the adjudicators’ choice.
Mashonaland West province’s All In One came second, followed by Simuniziva from Matabeleland North.
The top three bands played Afro-fusion, emerging superior among the other five Afro-fusion bands namely DNA Band (Mashonaland Central), Core Vibes (Midlands), Dab Band (Bulawayo), (Afro Pulse) Masvingo, Mnenga Band (Manicaland).
The other two bands Jungle Foxes (sungura, Mashonaland East) and the Bolamba Culture Birds (traditional contemporary music, Matabeleland South) provided the judges with a torrid time to decide the winners.
The judges admitted that they had use minor discrepancies and shortcomings to come up with the winners.
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Chibuku Road to Fame competitions are a collaboration between the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and Delta Beverages and were running under the theme Celebrating 25 Years of Discovering Talent!
Chitima Band took home the US$15 000 coveted prize plus a recording contract after emerging victorious.
All in One pocketed US$10 000 for coming second and Simuniziva got US$7 000 for the third prize.
The after party was a rude awakening as yesteryear Chibuku Road to Fame winners provided an above standard performance.
Kweseka Band, Travellers, DJ Nash showcased their mastery at traditional Zimbabwean music, taking revellers down memory lane through the music of legends Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, Marshall Munhumumwe, hip-hop dancehall, Afro-fusion including their own compositions.
Nisha Ts performed on stage with a live band.
She threw Chibuku T- shirts into the crowd as she churned out her widely sung hit Kutsamwa Kune Labour Vakomana.
Meanwhile, revellers also enjoyed gulping Delta beverages such as Castle Lager, Carling Black Label, Chibuku, Chibuku Super, Castle Lite, Redd’s, Castle Milk, Golden Pilsener and Zambezi.
Chitima Band consists of Charles Chakanetsa (band leader, guitarist and vocalist), Precious Mapurisa (photo), Mitchell Chikosa (vocalist), Elliot Chipitura (bass), Tapiwanashe Mbudzi (keyboards) and Tatenda Murewa (drums).
Chakanetsa attributed their success to hard work and co-operation.
“We would like to thank the judges and Delta Beverages for uplifting us to win the Chibuku Road to Fame silver jubilee celebration,” he said.
“We are looking forward to recording our music album and pace out the Chibuku brand ambassadorial roles perfectly.”
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe director Napoleon Nyanhi praised Delta Beverages for being arguably the most highly rewarding sponsor and promoter for the arts through Chibuku Road to Fame.
“It is a welcome development to a have a sponsor like Delta Beverages which has given life-changing prizes to the tune of US$15 000 as first prize. The sponsorship was very lucrative even at provincial level,” he said.
“Through wide scouting from our 10 provinces in Zimbabwe to enter the Chibuku Road to Fame, we have managed to identify not only talent, but also cultural richness and diversity in Zimbabwe.”
Nyanhi added that Chitima Band was a good example of the abundant talent that is available for entertainment and cultural ambassadorial roles.