By MKHOKHELI ZIBENGWA
Internationally acclaimed Imbube music outfit, Black Umfolosi will on the 3rd of November celebrate their 41st Anniversary through a music and dance show which is set to be held at the Bulawayo Theatre.
The event is set to showcase the summary of the great productions produced by Black Umfolosi over the past 4 decades of its existence.
Black Umfolosi is a self taught Acappella (Imbube) singing and traditional dance group that was formed in 1982 by the then school age members who wanted to develop themselves and contribute to their community.
Sotsha Moyo is the only remaining member of the original founders; with some members leaving the country over time, and some sadly leaving this world.
Black Umfolosi recorded it's first album in 1990 and up to date the group has 14 albums.
"Thank you for standing with us, for celebrating our shared heritage, and for embracing the soul-stirring magic of Mbube.FOUR DECADES AGO, a group of schoolboys, including me started out singing together for their own entertainment, in the wonderful Imbube culture of great Ndebele singers"
"Their strong and joyful vocals, perfect harmonies, authentic and exciting dance traditions soon put them on an upward trajectory which, through hard work, incessant practice, discipline and good management, has taken them from humble beginnings in townships of Bulawayo ‘ The City of Kings’ in South-Western Zimbabwe, to an award-winning group winning acclaim on stages all over the world, in a nutshell, that's who Black Umfolosi is," said Sotsha Moyo.
Black Umfolosi have toured extensively nationwide and internationally; with multiple tours to several countries in Europe and Asia; and to USA, Canada and Australia.In these travels they represented Zimbabwe at prestigious events such as the Universal Expo, Spain in 1992, Universal Expo, Portugal in 1998 and the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada, where they were honoured with a personal meeting and congratulations by the late Queen Elizabeth II, and other dignitaries.
Speaking on the sidelines of the celebrations, Sotsha Moyo said:
"This is a show not to miss.The response so far is very positive and promises to be a full house event. It will be a show to remember for both young and the old".
"Luchi Shiki will open the show in collaboration with Katso.Lushi Shiki and Katso are upcoming ladies who are full of talents and raring to show the audience what they are made of in terms of their artistic abilities. I personally cannot wait to watch these two young artists do their thing before I go on stage to show my long journey pieces that made Black Umfolosi and myself being a house hold name world over. All continents have seen and marvelled with great satisfaction our works.Glory and PRAISE goes to God Almighty, " said Moyo.
