HARARE - Controversial dancer Beverly ‘Bev’ Sibanda and the high-rising Jah Prayzah have been included in the forthcoming Harare International Carnival’s Sungura Night to be held at Pamuzinda Ice and Fire on May 23.
Chipaz Promotions — the organisers of the sungura segment of the carnival — believe the two entertainers will add more lustre to a concert that will feature sungura kingpin Alick Macheso and controversial Chipinge-born musician Jacob Moyana.
“Remember, Bev made a name for herself dancing sungura songs while Jah Prayzah’s music is a fusion of sungura, jazz and other beats. It is obvious that the two won’t be out of place at all,” said Partson Chimbodza, the Chipaz Promotions director.
The award-winning promoter was, however, quick to point out that the fulcrum of the concert would be sungura icon Macheso.
“Macheso commands a big crowd at Pamuzinda Ice and Fire and everywhere else in the country for that matter.
“He is a star performer and it would have been amiss to hold the first Carnival Sungura Night without Cheso Power, the undoubted king of the genre,” said Chimbodza.
Upcoming musician Moyana has been in the eye of the storm since releasing the song Munotidako which has been described by certain quarters as lewd.
Chimbodza believes, though, that the controversial musician will prove his class during the highly-anticipated concert.
“Moyana is a sungura artiste with amazing talent who is still very much underrated. It is our duty as music promoters to encourage and give platforms to musicians of this nature to enable them to realise their true potential,” said Chimbodza.
Meanwhile, Sugar Chagonda, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) head of corporate affairs, has justified the dedicating of a special night to sungura.
“Sungura is one of the most popular music genres in the country that is why we have included it for the first time this year. This year’s edition of Harare International Carnival is meant to cater for everyone and that is the reason why we are also celebrating other local genres like dancehall and urban grooves,” he said.