Chibuku Road to Fame in final stretch

THE Chibuku Road to Fame, arguably the country’s biggest grassroots talent identification programme, has reached the home stretch, with the national finals being slated for Harare’s Takashinga Cricket Club on Saturday.

For this year’s edition of the competition, the 10 provincial winners will battle it out for the US$15 000 first prize.

Second prize winners will walk away with US$10 000, with the third-placed band returning home US$7 500 richer.

This year’s edition will, for the first time, see Zimdancehall and hip hop artistes taking part in the contest.

Only sungura and Afro-fusion singers have participated in previous editions.

In last week’s Harare provincial finals, Mazwi, an Afro-fusion band, came out tops, beating Afro Pride, another Afro-fusion band and sungura ensemble Young Legends.

Other Afro-fusion bands that made it through to the national finals from Masvingo province include Mega Express and the Chivi District Band.

Gutu Stars, a sungura outfit, also stormed into the national finals.

Fungai Chinogaramombe, the Mazwi band leader, is expecting a bruising battle during the national finals.

“This year’s edition includes musicians who specialise in other genres besides sungura. As such, we are expecting tight competition,” Mazwi said.

Chinogaramombe is determined to walk away with the US$15 000 purse money.

Patricia Murambinda, the Delta Beverages head of corporate affairs, assured stakeholders that everything is in place.

“We did all the necessary logistics and we are ready to go,” Murambinda said.

Apart from the competitors, the likes of Alick Macheso, Feli Nandi, Tocky Vibes and the Chillspot family will also perform live during the national finals.

Representing Chillspot, Fantan told DJ The Sunday Mail Society that he will use Saturday’s show to scout for talent.

“First and foremost, we are excited to perform at such a big event. We are going to use this competition for talent identification,” Fantan said.