The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
TWO of Manicaland’s artistes came out tops at the just-ended Celebrate Africa Music Competition Season Two competitions held at Jason Mpepo Theatre in Harare last week on Sunday.
Gilbert Mhikuro and Leonard Kadiramwando, fondly known as the Ndaramo Duet, shrugged off stiff competition to outshine six other groups drawn from across the country for the tightly contested finals.
Other contestants included Mazvita, Rumbi, Tapiwa, Gift and Vincent, Brendon and Elis Mama and Nokutenda.
The Ndaramo Duet is under Chenhaka Performing Arts.
They walked away with US$300 cash, one song studio recording contract, one song professional video recording, one year scholarship with Music Crossroads Zimbabwe as well as one year mentorship and management programme with Dreams Trust.
The duo showcased their expertise in using traditional instruments such as marimba and drums.
The production they presented was created by them and was produced and directed by Taurai Moyo, who is the executive director of Chenhaka Trust.
Chenhaka Trust is a creative arts entity which uses and harnesses the transformative power of creative arts to address child marriages, gender based violence, human rights, HIV and Aids, as well as advocacy in climate change.
The two versatile artists are actors, musicians and dancers and were born and bred in Mutare.
They hail from Sakubva suburb.
Speaking on behalf of the winners, Chenhaka Trust director, Moyo, said the recognition was a great honour.
“It was not an easy road to stardom. It is an honour to be recognised nationally, especially after spending months practising and competing against equally talented artistes.
“This is a clear message to the nation that Mutare is talented in terms of arts. This accolade also motivates other visual and performing artistes in Mutare to aim high.
“I was excited when my artistes were selected to compete in the semi-finals. I believe in them and I told them to give it their all. I was not surprised when they contacted me and told me that they had made it to the finals. Hearing that they had come out tops was the best news that I have heard this year,” said Moyo.
He added that the arts group won the contest a few weeks after conducting successful arts festivals across the country to fight gender based violence.
“In December last year, we successfully organised and hosted four successful Culture Actions Schools Arts festivals in Mazowe, Chipinge, Makoni and Chimanimani districts in partnership with Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust under a project that is funded by the Embassy of Sweden.
“The project specially targets the girl child. The project uses the Culture Fund Creative Knowledge ToolKit to debunk cultural and societal norms that disempowers women,” said Moyo.
