Zonda Mthakathi rules the roost

Zonda Mthakathi shrugged off stiff competition to beat six groups to land the top prize in the Chibuku Road to Fame Matabeleland South provincial finals held at Manz’amnyama Cocktail Bar in Gwanda on Saturday.

Zonda Mthakathi shrugged off stiff competition to beat six groups to land the top prize in the Chibuku Road to Fame Matabeleland South provincial finals held at Manz’amnyama Cocktail Bar in Gwanda on Saturday.

Luyanduhlobo Makwati Own Correspondent

The spirited performances put up by performing groups gave the adjudicating team led by Sotsha Ndlovu of the Black Umfolosi, a tough time picking winners.

Zonda Mthakathi eventually claimed the sole ticket to represent the province in the national finals that would be held in Harare later this year.

Vumbachikwe Sounds landed the second position while the Kezi-based group Thokozani Express got third position.

The well-organised event staged by Delta Beverages in collaboration with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe kept fans on their feet the whole day as they watched groups doing what they know best.

Witness Nkunziwalela, speaking on behalf of Chibuku, said this year’s performances were mature.

“As sponsors of the event we are happy with the performances displayed by groups,” he said.

“All the groups performed well. We will continue supporting such initiatives of up and coming groups.”

Nkunziwalela said they were looking forward to lure more groups especially in provinces that have many districts to take part in the annual competition.

“We hope we will engage our partners in helping more groups to take part in such competition that will follow,” he said.

Khohlisi Nyathi, leader of Zonda Mthakathi, could not hide his joy after the group emerged victorious.

“As a group, we are happy with our performance. We will be working hard to go to the national finals and win,” he said Nyathi said the region had gone for close to a decade without winning the national finals and that has to change this year. “It is important for us to work hard and make the region proud,” he said. Some of the groups that took part in the competition included Young Dynamics, Insiza Express and Inkovu Roots