By Fidelis Manyange
THE mbira, also known as thumb piano, is a uniquely African traditional instrument that has been played for more than 1 000 years and is integral to the traditions and cultural identity of the Shona people of Zimbabwe.
The instrument, which consists of...
By Fidelis Manyange
IN our motherland, the month of August is synonymous with our liberation war heroes, both fallen and living.
It is the month in which we commemorate the gallant sons and daughters who fought against the colonial regime to usher in the freedom we...
By Fidelis Manyange
IN our motherland, the month of August is synonymous with our liberation war heroes, both fallen and living.
It is the month in which we commemorate the gallant sons and daughters who fought against the colonial regime to usher in the freedom we...
By Fidelis Manyange.
A RECENT visit to the late Solomon Skuza’s home in Plumtree’s Ntoli area, about 70km from Plumtree town, provoked me to pen this piece on the need to honour our departed artistes. The ‘Love and Scandals’ and ‘Banolila’ hitmaker’s grave lies...
By Fidelis Manyange
BAND and dance group names play a pivotal role not only in marketing the performing artistes, but also their songs and live shows.
While some names portray reality, others tend to mislead the fans.
Over the years, thousands of male patrons have been thronging...
By Fidelis Manyange
IN last week’s edition, this writer dealt at some length with a slew of artistes who dumped their paymasters but subsequently fell on hard times in the dog-eat-dog world of music.
This week the focus shifts to those who made it big after...
By Fidelis Manyange
DURING Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a colt or donkey, the people displayed their reverence by throwing their cloaks over the animal. Some spread their cloaks on the road, while others laid a carpet of tree branches on the road. The...
By Fidelis Manyange
WIKIPEDIA describes Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe, popularly known by its initials, UMP, as “a very rural and underdeveloped area, populated by peasant farmers who depend on subsistence farming with high poverty levels”.
But for Zimbabweans at large, UMP is the ruling party, ZANU-PF’s political...
By Fidelis Manyange
LAST week, Wednesday, April 9, marked exactly 28 years since the death of sungura legend Leonard Dembo.
He died in 1996.
Dembo’s real name was Leonard Tazvivinga as opposed to Kwangwari Gwaindepi as is widely reported.
In fact, Kwangwari Gwaindepi was his grandfather and that...
By Fidelis Manyange
ZIMBABWEANS are now familiar with national musical fiestas such as ‘Independence’, ‘Heroes Splush’, ‘Mzee Bira’ and ‘Umdhala Wethu’ galas.
The last two were held in memory of former vice presidents Cde Simon Muzenda and Cde Joshua Nkomo respectively.
For his part, President Emmerson Mnangagwa...
By Fidelis Manyange
THE upcoming 44th Independence Anniversary celebrations and musical gala are a throwback to the 1980 Independence Day celebrations and night vigils (pungwes) that characterised the liberation struggle.
This year’s commemorations will be held under the theme, ‘Zim@44: Unity, Peace and Development Towards Vision...
By Fidelis Manyange
CHITUNGWIZA-based musician, known in music circles as Gaban Kufemamoto Chebani Chedondo Chegwenzi Chebundo Chemuti Chesango Jiridema Gift Chibwe, has penned seven English novels, produced two music albums and is on the verge of producing a movie.
Gaban’s music is about patriotism and social...
