The ManicaPost
AS the 2016 curtains come down, our Entertainment Correspondent, Liberty Dube, takes us down memory lane on the major events that took place this year.
Local actress USA bound
A Mutare-based actress, Amanda Ranganawa, was this year expected to storm into the American movie industry by enrolling at a renowned arts school, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, after she was awarded a scholarship to study towards an Honours Degree in Acting for stage and screen in USA. Upon completing the two-year training programme, the 25-year-old actress would be attached to producers and directors to work with in the Hollywood.
Chipanga Namibia nightmare
Influential band member in Hosiah Chipanga’s Vaparidzi veShoko camp opened up on their nightmarish and forgettable stay in Namibia where the group was scheduled to stage a series of shows.
Although Chipanga, a veteran musician and wordsmith, has not been friendly and forthcoming to some sections of the media, his band member, Augustine “Oga” Malunga who was part of the seven-member entourage that travelled to Namibia, said they could not perform at any other venue besides at the hotel they were staying since the promoter had not secured work permits for them.
Sulu speaks on potato debt
Heir to the dendera throne, Suluman Chimbetu who is embroiled in a potato debt saga with Muwi Village headman, Landmine Madongonda, has revealed that the later was in a quest to soil his image after he refused to do a duet with him because of dirty lyrics.
In an interview on the sidelines of a historic family show held at The Platinum on Sunday, alongside Jah Prayzah, Sulu said Madongonda approached him to do a song titled “Sulu naMadongonda vanetsa nemababe paNyanga”, an offer he turned down.
AU dominates Miss 21st beauty pageant
Africa University dominated this year’s Miss 21st beauty pageant after two students made it into the crème de la crème at a glittering event held at Mutare Hall.
22-year-old Iracelma De Fatima Dos Santos Cassule from Angola was crowned Miss 21st after she beat 12 other contestants, while Ratidzo Gwati (23) was the first princess. Shalyn Coleen Soma (24) was crowned second princess, and Michelle Chamunorwa was Miss Personality.
Manicaland mourns revered artist
Arts industry in Manicaland was robbed of a versatile and talented sculptor and mixed media artist, Richard James who breathed his last on February 11 after a long illness.
Artists and artistes interviewed by the Weekender described James who was Penhalonga-based environmental watchdog, Green Zimbabwe president, as an inimitable and hardworking artist who played a critical role in the rehabilitation of degraded land in Penhalonga and surrounding areas by introducing tree nurseries and tree-planting initiatives in several schools. He was 42. James was a mixed media art guru who mixed various traditionally distinct visual art mediums to come up with pieces of art.
Promoters, artistes, listeners hail Diamond FM
Music promoters, artistes and listeners in Mutare have hailed the Zimpapers-run commercial radio station, Diamond FM for promoting local talent, arts and culture, describing the initiative as a “knight in shining armour” for Manicaland music industry.
Since the radio station went on air late last year, Mutare-based artistes’ music have received tremendous airplay, boosting their careers, while to promoters it has boosted their business through advertising.
Private Launch comes to Mutare
Exquisite uptown strip tease club, Private Launch will soon spread its wings to the entertainment-starved Mutare as the club aims at improving its brand and creating employment as well as boosting domestic tourism, the Weekender has learnt.
Private Launch proprietor, Biggie Chinoperekwei revealed that they would descend to the eastern border city late next month to publicise their brand and meet pleasure seekers as well as stakeholders as they prepare to set another base outside Harare and Bulawayo.
Redwing Mine wins Chibuku Neshamwari national finals
Redwing Mine Traditional Dance Group did Manicaland proud after defying all odds to win this year’s Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance national finals held at White City Stadium in Bulawayo last Saturday.
The Penhalonga-based group who were Manicaland’s representatives in the 53rd edition of the contest, out-danced nine other provincial representatives and pocketed a whooping $7 000.
Jibilika heartbreak for Mutare
Jibilika Dance Festival national finals held at Courtauld Theatre and Mutare Hall will go down the memory lane as one of the most competitive, intriguing and captivating contests in the history of the competition since its inception nine years ago.
But for Mutare dancers, the fierce contest will forever linger in their minds and hearts as the most heartbreaking ever. In fact, the Harare-based dance group, Lethal Fam broke Mutare dancers’ hearts after it emerged tops and outclassed crowd favourites Mutare representatives, Reflections and Juveniles who were seated at third and fourth positions respectively.
The day Mr Pak Bean came to town
Business grinded to a halt in Mutare’s down town area and Herbert Chitepo Street on Monday as scores of people jostled to catch a glimpse of Mr Bean.
As news filtered that kids’ darling comedian was in town, people virtually left their businesses unattended to be the first near Mr Bean at Bhola Hardware in the downtown area.
And there was Man Gidza
Pomp, funfair, glitz and glamour characterised the historic Mutare’s popular entertainer, Man Gidza, real name, James Kutaika and bride, Precious Matsikatire’s wedding held last Saturday at Murapa Tavern in the sprawling high-density suburb of Sakubva. Business came to a screeching halt in Mutare’s Central Business District as scores of people stampeded to catch a glimpse of the immaculately-dressed couple that was all over each other during the wedding proceedings.
Samaita launches blockbuster album
Local sungura musician, Brian Samaita has bounced back with a new five-track album, Kumaziva Ndadzoka. This time, the rising musician whose music is greatly influenced by the late sungura king, Tongai “Dhewa” Moyo partners gospel diva, Agatha Murudzwa on the song, Jerusarema. Other songs on the album are Ndinokutendai, Ndavakuenda, Usatuka Mvuu and Ndizvo Here?
Mai Chisamba brings show to Mutare
Monday, December 5 saw popular talk show hostess, Rebecca Chisamba, popularly known as Mai Chisamba of the Mai Chisamba Show gracing Mutare for recordings.
Excited Mutare fans thronged the Golden Peacock Villa Hotel for the recording of two Mai Chisamba shows which will be aired on ZTV sometime this month.
