Byo’s biggest festival: New stars born

If ever there was a version of the Intwasa festival I thoroughly enjoyed, it has to be this year’s. The reason is simply that veteran artists acquitted themselves well and more importantly, new ones stepped up to the plate. From dance, theatre, poetry and music, the selection of over five hundred artists was sheer class. The festival’s organisers were vindicated in their choices.

Not originally slated to perform at this year’s Intwasa, the young artists came to the party on Saturday night at the Rainbow Elite 400 venue. Take singer/songwriter/guitarist Bozoe for instance. Bozoe’s music is ephemeral, soulful and elevating. His arrangements sip into the soul. Backed by the talented Butshilo Nleya on percussion alongside another guitarist and backup singer, the four member acoustic set he presented was delectable to say the least. Particularly awe inspiring was Mphendulo — an ode to love which features on his album Udumo. With mother in the crowd, Bozoe paid his tribute in the song MaSiziba. Finally, he closed his set with his own version of Vusi Mahlasela’s Africa. The good money is on him. He is ready for the big time.

Pronix and the Harmonic Rhythms, an Afro soul boy band on the rise in Bulawayo owned the stage with ease. Deftly packaged in black suits and complete with shades, the lead singer Prosper Ndebele aka Pronix exhibited superstar qualities on stage and handled the stage like a veteran. Playing songs entirely from their own unknown catalogue was maybe a bit ambitious for the new boys. Still, the crowd swayed to the new boys’ rhythms. With proper handling they will scale the summits of pop music in Africa.

Not to be outdone was Black Umfolosi with their music master class on Saturday night. Black Umfolosi is without a doubt, one of the greatest musical exports from Zimbabwe. After graciously tipping their hats to new boys Bozoe (real name Bothwell Nkomo) a world music exponent and Pronix an afro soul boy band who shined on the night, Black Umfolosi then began their music school. I could not see many of the lesser groups in the audience taking notes as they should have been. The group’s choreography on the night was so synchronised they had the crowd eating out of their palm. There was spontaneous hand-clapping by audience. The performance was also punctuated with ululations from female members of the audience. Black Umfolosi is an institution and they showed why on Saturday night at the Elite 400. We begged them for an encore after their famous hit song Unity for which they have reportedly never received royalties despite the massive airplay over the years.

 It is indeed the National Arts Council’s duty to help recognise such artists. The NAMA awards should begin with a lifetime achievement for this national institution that is Black Umfolosi. If not, the city of Bulawayo should fill that gap. Oh maybe I dream too much! There is more about the Intwasa 2013 performances coming in this space.