MASVINGO - Sungura music outfit, Orchestra Mafarochete will represent Masvingo Province at the Chibuku Road to Fame national finals to be held at Glamis Stadium in Harare on September 27.
The Mashava-based musical group claimed the $1 000 first prize after shrugging off stiff competition from eight other groups during the Chibuku Road to Fame provincial finals held at Farai Bar in Zimbabwe’s oldest city on Saturday.
Wezhira Band Sounds, from Masvingo city landed the second place and pocketed $500, while Dzimbadzemabwe went home $300 richer after claiming position three.
Despite spirited competition from the other groups, Orchestra Mafarochete were deserving winners of the annual competition sponsored by Delta Beverages.
The sungura group earned kudos from both judges and fans after belting out three well-rehearsed songs within the mandatory 15 minutes.
Zebedee Gurajena, the leader of the sungura group, told the Daily News after the competition that his group was well-positioned to win the national finals.
“We are very thrilled to be the winners of this year’s finals and we are eagerly looking forward to representing the province,” said Gurajena.
“With the kind of music we play, I am sure we will bring the first prize home when we travel to Harare for the national finals later this year.”
Gurajena added that the Harare finals presented a perfect platform for the Mashava entertainers to announce their arrival on the national stage.
“We are going to use this competition to make our breakthrough into the music market.”
“We are going to work hard between now and September so that we win the first prize in Harare and get a recording contract.”
“Once we do that we are quite sure that our music will sell on the market and make a mark,” he said.
For Orchestra Mafarochete to claim the national title that will come with a cash prize plus a recording contract, they will have to outwit nine other provincial champions on September 27.
Richard Rashai, the Delta Beverages Sorghum Brand Manager told the Daily News during the provincial competition that his company was proud to be associated with the nurturing of new musical groups.
He said his organisation was keen to continue promoting untapped music talent in partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.
“We are committed to promoting and advancing the interests of upcoming talent in the music industry through this competition,” said Rashai.