Fungai Muderere
HARARE’S Glamis Arena will be the place to be as jam-packed steam entertainment that comes courtesy of Delta Beverages sponsored Chibuku Road To Fame will be served at the national finals set for Saturday.
The talent search event that makes a return after an almost three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will be spiced up by popular Zimbabwe music chanters Winky D, Tocky Vibes, ExQ and Baba Harare among others.
The talent search’s competition for places in the national finals started on 6 August at provincial level.
At the national finals, Bulawayo will be represented by Orchestra Zealous while Expressions Band carry the hopes of Manicaland province. Matabeleland South province will bank on Thokozani Super Sounds to make them proud. Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central will have The Originals and Hi-Five as their respective representatives.
The competition, a collaborative effort between Delta Beverages — through its Chibuku brand, and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, aims to identify and promote musical talents.
Delta Corporation general manager and corporate affairs Patricia Murambinda said this year there was a shift from the original competition’s concept to include other genres such as hip-hop and dancehall.
She said this marked a growth and modification due to the changes in the music space and advent of genres.
“We are now hosting the national finals after completing the provincial finals. This year’s Chibuku Road to Fame edition runs under the theme, Jambisa Asingajambe! Vusa Abalele. This will be a thrilling final as we celebrate 60 years of Chibuku. Chibuku Road to Fame is offering monetary prizes at both provincial and national levels, with the national winner walking away with both a cash prize as well as a recording contract.”
There will be free entry and performances are expected to start at 12pm.
Launched on October 27 in 2001, Chibuku Road to Fame is the country’s largest grassroots talent identification competition.
It seeks to promote the development of musical groups through identifying potentially talented groups.
To date, sungura musician Romeo Gasa, who fronts Extra Valembe, remains a notable product of Chibuku Road to Fame after he won the competition in 2007.