BY CHELSEA MUSAFARE
GWERU-BASED gospel music outfit Joyful Praise was among the biggest winners at this year’s edition of the Prophet Emmanuel and Ruth Makandiwa Invitational Concert and Awards Night (Permican) at City Sports Centre in Harare last Friday where they won three of the six awards they had been nominated for.

The group won the Best Newcomer and Best Song awards for their hit track, Ngoro Yeminana, as well as the Best Group/Duo for the album, Joyful Praise Season 2.

They had also been nominated for Album of the Year, Best Producer and Best Songwriter awards.
The group’s chief operations officer, Godfrey Mukodzo told NewsDay Life & Style that they were grateful for their victory.

“We are grateful to the Almighty for his grace and to all our fans for their support as a new group and for being outstanding amongst other gospel music groups,” he said.

Mukodzo said their music was divinely-inspired and also dealt with contemporary issues and people’s social life.

He promised their fans to look out for new material soon.

The new group went head to head with other big gospel outfits including Zimpraise and made their mark.

Top gospel musician Michael Mahendere, who also scooped the 2019 Most Viewed Gospel Song Online award, performed some of his plug tracks including Makomborero, My Witness and Salt of the Earth.
Trending and award-winning songbird Janet Manyowa, who took to the stage in a green gown, wrapped up the set with Zadzisai and Nyasha Nengoni which had fans on the dance floor.

Under the Special Awards category, Endai Naizvozvo hitmaker Diva Mafunga who won the Legendary Award saluted gospel guru Mechanic Manyeruke for being his greatest inspiration.

The concert, complemented by impressive stage work and best MCs Miss Red, Becky and Tich Mataz, also witnessed performances from Jonah Chivasa and Nyasha Mguni, Gemma Griffiths, Kuda Mutsvene, Vabati vaJehovha, Mabel Madondo, Brian K, Tembelami, Zimpraise, Tatenda Mahachi and Sharon Manyika as well as Joyful Praise and Manyowa.

LONG-KNOWN for love ballads that have become soundtracks for many romantic affairs, veteran urban grooves musician Sanii Makhalima reflects a new national consciousness in his latest song — Vatiregerera — in which he calls out the country’s leadership for failing the young generation.

BY FREEMAN MAKOPA

The new hard-hitting song, which was released on Friday last week, unveils a new Makhalima despairing over the economic hardships, police brutality and high unemployment levels while the country’s leaders share the national cake among themselves, far removed from the daily troubles of ordinary people.

Makhalima told NewsDay Life & Style over the weekend that artistes were duty-bound to artistically express social issues afflicting the nation.

He said his new offering — whose visuals captured police brutality, empty public hospital corridors and endless fuel queues — was inspired by the situation obtaining in the country.

“Vatiregerera was inspired by the happenings in Zimbabwe. I have always written stuff based on true or real events, hence my music carries truth to it. I have usually written about love directly. However, it’s the same love for my country that inspired me to pen the song,” he said.

Makhalima said the song was also a reflection of certain fears that he felt as a citizen.

“My fears are mainly founded on the fact we are seemingly not allowed to express real social issues in our country. On the face of things, apparently we can, but we all know what happens,” he said.

“My fear is that we have a human and constitutional right to have freedom of expression and that right may be taken away from us [but] through my music, I have spoken for many.”

The musician — who was among the pioneers of urban grooves music at the turn of the millennium under the stewardship of his elder brother Delani Makhalima — said artistes had a big role to play in shaping society and alerting authorities over the people’s suffering.

Makhalima, however, said he would not have sleepless nights over a possible backlash from the authorities as he did not violate any law by releasing the song.

“I don’t think I have violated any Zimbabwean law by singing about what’s real and happening. I will continue singing,” he said.

In the song, Makhalima questions the rationale of beating up hustlers trying to earn an honest living, and longs for past glory years when young people could afford to dream of a bright future.
The artiste said besides music, he was also still into advertising, media and the supply of motor vehicle spares.

Hwange……..(2)2
Herentals…..(3)3

Hwange inched closer to the dreaded relegation chop after they succumbed to pressure from Herentals, conceding three goal to two during a Premier Soccer League match played at the Colliery Stadium yesterday.

By Tinashe Mungazi

Hwange hit the ground running with an early goal, courtesy of a penalty from Nomore Chinyerere after Gerald Ndlovu who was pulled down in the box.

Herentals levelled the scores on the seventh minute through Blessing Maunganidze after a sizzling shot from Blessing Majairira was fumbled by Hwange goalkeeper Taimon Mvula.

With the two teams tied, a charged up Herentals escalated their fight for a lead as the pair of Maunganidze and Majairira gave Chipangano defence a tough time.

Five minutes before the break, Herentals striker and team owner Innocent Benza hammered home off a pass by Bhingala.

The second half saw a besieged Chipangano turning the heat on the College Boys with Chinyerere proving to be the main threat.

The home side’s pressure paid off on the 47th minute after a Prince Tafiremutsa blunder resulted in Gilbert Zulu flicking the ball into the net.

Hwange coach Nation Dube described his boys’ performance as a disaster, arguing that they failed to maintain the edge of scoring first.

“I cannot say there is something that went well. All I can say is that it was disaster; we defended badly. We are going to fight through the remaining three games to avoid the chop.”

His counterpart, Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva applauded the inspiration and fighting spirit that his boys had drawn following 48-year-old Benza’s amazing goal.

“I would attribute this win to the fighting spirit that the boys displayed, especially coming back after conceding an early goal. The aspect of fighting to avoid relegation dawned on them. To add to that, Benza also offered the much needed motivation with his good passes and subsequent goal.”

CHAPUNGU…………(0)
FC PLATINUM………(1)

DEFENDING champions FC Platinum kept alive their dream of winning the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title for the third time in a row following a narrow 1-0 win over Chapungu at Ascot Stadium yesterday.

BY TERRY MADYAUTA

Never Tigere scored the solitary goal with a rasping free-kick on the 19th minute from just outside the box, to ensure the platinum miners collect maximum points in this nervy title run-in.

The Chapungu goalkeeper Talbert Shumba remained rooted to his spot when lightning Tigere struck.

With the win, the Zvishavane-based side moved to second position on the log with 56 points ahead of their last two assignments against Black Rhinos and Caps United. They remain two behind their title rivals and log leaders Caps, who are sit on 58 points.

FC Platinum coach Lizwe Sweswe was satisfied with his side’s performance and result.

He said: “It was a good show of character. This is one game which we needed maximum points. Well done to the boys.

“These points will take us somewhere. What is important is to win the remaining two games. If we win, I think we will defend our title and also set the tone for the champions league assignments ahead of us.”

His counterpart Weddington Chinyan’anya was disappointment by the result, which left him facing the axe.

Tendai Chikuni has already been tipped for return to the airforce side.
“It’s very unfortunate and painful that we lost despite playing very well. We have to push hard because as it stands, we are now just above the relegation. The next two games are going to be key for us.

“Today, we had our chances, but failed to convert them and our opponents had fewer chances which they utilised very well,” Chinyan’anya said.

Chapungu carved out a handful of chances, but failed to break the rock-solid FC Platinum rearguard.

At one time, FC Platinum goalminder Francis Tizayi was forced to tip the ball over the bar from Edmore Munhanenhamo’s humdinger of a freekick.

Gracious Mleya also threatened to restore parity at the resumption of second half play, but his thundering effort from close range went over the bar.

FC Platinum forward Rodwell Chinyengetere missed a sitter after failing to capitalise on a gaffe by Shumba.

Teams

Chapungu: T Shumba, C Mativenga, H Mugoniwa, B Mbavarira, M Muchingami, G Mleya, E Muzanenhamo, B Mugoni (,P Kumbula 71), D Mukamba (M Mavuto 60), B Chihowa (I Nyoni 52), P Marufu.

FC Platinum: F Tizayi, R Muduviwa, L Mhlanga, G Bello, W Stima, D Chafa, R Pavari (K Madzongwe 60), R Chinyengetere (A Eonde 85), N Tigere, G Nsiala (R Kutsanzira 69), G Mbweti.

THE Zanu PF women’s league has called on ageing party bigwigs to retire from government and pave way for younger women in a bid to revive the shrinking economy.

BY SIMBARASHE SITHOLE

Speaking at a national gender forum in Mutare on Friday last week, the ruling party’s women’s league deputy secretary, Angeline Masuku, said ageing government officials should take a cue from her and leave government service to Young Turks.

Masuku was until last year Bulawayo Metropolitan Affairs minister.

“As Zanu PF, we should learn to retire from government and give room to young women to lead. We liberated the country and young women should take over to liberate the economy,” Masuku said amid thunderous applause.

“I voluntarily retired from government in a bid to give way to young and new blood that is what many of our older women in government should do so that the country moves forward as we are road-mapping the 50/50 gender representation.”

She said women politicians do not support each other.

“Our party follows the country’s Constitution and we are going for 50/50 gender representation and we are still going to respect the proportional representation, but the main challenge in women is the pull her down syndrome. We always look down upon ourselves, yet we can, and are able to do it,” she said.

Speaking at the same event, MDC deputy president Lynette Karenyi-Kore said her party supported the 50/50 gender representation, and not the quota system.

“We are saying we were given quotas in 2013 up to now and we achieved hatred among women in the issue of proportional representation,” she said.

“If you go for primaries, males will start to say you have got 60 seats already forgetting that those seats are for the whole country, so it is a disadvantage to us.”

BUDDING Bulawayo gospel singer, Thamsanqa “Thamu” Moyo, is living proof that dreams do come true when artistes work together.

BY JOEL TSVAKWI

Having released his debut album, Memezela, last year, Moyo believes his music is trending on local radio because of his collaboration with fellow artistes to push the Bantu urban culture genre.

Bantu urban culture is a fusion of beautiful sounds that identify artistes with their culture.

He said during his short stint in South Africa, he was amazed by how artistes worked together and decided to bring the concept home.

Moyo said he was pushing for unity among emerging and seasoned artistes.

The Bantu urban culture exponent, who is working on his second album to be released early next year, explained his future plans.

“My plan is to unify artistes in our region and the country as a whole, hence this album I am working on has some collaborations with Bulawayo artistes,” he said.

“My future plans are to grow in the knowledge and beauty of music in our motherland and to be respected as an artiste and help upcoming artistes and even people with talents other than music.

“The lack of unity among music stakeholders, especially with regards to gospel music, is disturbing and this situation is counterproductive to the entire music landscape in the country.”

Moyo said the public’s lack of confidence on local productions was a hindrance.

“The corporate world does not seem to support us, especially here in Bulawayo, hence we are always behind compared to other artistes in the country,” he said.

“Some stakeholders, pushed by selfish motives, have taken control of the artistes and such artistes are reduced to (corruption) so that they can be heard or receive air play, yet support should be given to talent not some unethical preferences.”

BLACK Umfolosi founding member, Sotja Moyo, has embarked on a programme to preserve his legacy and that of his Kalanga culture by grooming up-and-coming artistes so he could pass on the baton to the next generation of musicians.

BY SHARON SIBINDI

Moyo, who started his journey with Black Umfolosi in the 1980s, has been working on solo projects that have seen him producing six albums.

The latest offering, Luyalalo, is Kalanga jazz album launched early this month.

“My passion in the music industry is to leave a landmark which will be a positive legacy to the next generations. This will help them know and be proud of who they are, especially to young people from my community,” Moyo told NewsDay Life & Style.

Moyo said he has taken time to catch them young so they could take after him.

“I am currently training young people to prepare them to take over my objectives of promoting and reviving our Kalanga language through music and traditional dances,” he said.

Moyo said some artistes neglect the coming generation to an extent of passing on or retiring without sharing knowledge with them.

“So, planting a dream in the young ones, I feel is the key to keeping the dream and legacy alive. Some neglect the young generation and once they retire or pass on, they take everything with them,” he said.

He said he was setting up a recording studio to specialise in recording traditional music and dances.

Moyo recalled the golden era of his youth when he played traditional music while his colleagues were drawn by robot and pansula dances.

“It has now taken me to all continents of the world. But if I had done foreign music, it would never have been possible,” he said.