Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi

Showbiz Correspondent
LEGENDARY musician Oliver Mtukudzi will celebrate his 65th birthday in style at a special dinner party in London that will also honour his illustrious career that spans four decades.

The star-studded dinner will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Waltham Abbey, London on April 22.

Flying under the banner name Tuku@65dinner, the event is being organised exclusively by red carpet event specialists, Black Tie Management.

The Tribute Dinner will celebrate the rich and cultural music career of the country’s most recognised and decorated artiste as well as his birthday.

“We are thrilled, and also very honoured to be hosting this special dinner for our very own music icon, legendary artiste and well respected man whose talent, self-effacement and outstanding achievements deserve to be celebrated,” said Zenzo Ncube, one of the organising members of Black-Tie Management.

The elite dinner will give Tuku fans in the UK a unique opportunity to dine with and spend an evening with him, his family and friends.

Guests will be treated to a sumptuous three-course dinner and will be serenaded endlessly throughout the night with a select number of artistes lined up to pay tribute to the master of song.

The highlight of the night will see Tuku take to the stage to give guests a taste of his very own music, including songs from his 65th album.

In response to the organisers’ invitation to the honorary dinner, Tuku’s manager Sam Mataure said Dr Mtukudzi is humbled and delighted to be honoured in this very special way.

“Samanyanga’s (Tuku’s totem) journey in music has been a long, diverse and successful one. It has reached people from the most isolated rural growth points of Zimbabwe all the way to the diaspora communities overseas. We are grateful and all looking forward to travelling to London to celebrate a great legend among our friends and fans at the dinner,” Mataure added.

Famous for his soulful husky voice and acoustic guitar, Mtukudzi is one of Zimbabwe’s most prolific musicians across Africa and Europe. His career stretches back to the 1970s, and in 40 years has produced over 60 spectacular albums.

The multi-talented artiste, whose gifts know no bounds has also distinguished himself as an actor on the big screen, with admirable performances that include critically acclaimed documentaries and feature films such as Jit and Neria.

Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters

Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters cried in disbelief as she was adorned with the exquisite tiara on Sunday night as Miss SA 2017 at the recently renovated Sun City Superbowl in the North West province.

She won a million rand in cash and a shopping spree is one of the first items on her to do list.

“I’d have said I’m going to buy a car, but I just won one. I just have to go see if it’s automatic or manual,” Demi-Leigh said after being crowned.

The Western Cape-born beauty beat 11 other women and walked away with R1-million cash among other prizes. She impressed the judging panel which included Unathi Msengane, Maps Maponyane and former Miss SA Claudia Henkel among others.

Ade van Heerden and crowd favourite Boipelo Mabe took the first princess and second princess titles respectively. Demi-Leigh (21) who took over the reigns from Ntandoyenkosi Kunene admitted that the feeling had not yet sunk in. She shared that although she heard the hosts call her name, the song that played at that moment resonated more with her.

“I heard my name and tears just streamed down my face. The song I Was Here by Beyoncé played and it just defined that crowning moment for me,” she said.

The beauty who recently completed her B.Com in business management and entrepreneurship explained that she is passionate about empowering women and that will be her focus during her reign.

“I’d love to help curb the current statistics on women employment and I’ll do everything in my power as well as use all resources at my disposal.”

She aims to make her predecessors proud, but also hopes to leave a unique mark during her reign.

“I vow to dedicate the next 365 days of my life to serve the people of South Africa, to be a voice to those who are afraid to, or cannot speak up and to represent the whole of our beautiful nation. I vow to listen, to be there, to help where I can and to recognise that we all want to be heard, we all want to be validated. I hear you, I see you, I am you!”

During her reign, Demi-Leigh will represent South Africa at both Miss World and Miss Universe pageants. There she will be involved in promotional work and celebrity appearances. She will also travel locally and abroad, meet dignitaries, celebrities, the underprivileged as well as the sick  and needy. – TimesLive

Biggie Chinoperekwei

Melissa Mpofu, Showbiz Editor
OFFICIALS from leading entertainment company, Devine Assignments, which runs entertainment for clubs, Private Lounge, Club Connect and Club 263 among many others — are in Las Vegas, America where they are attending the Nightclub and Bar Convention/Trade Show.

The show, which began yesterday and ends tomorrow, is a huge gathering of influential buyers in the bar, nightlife, entertainment and hospitality industry.

It attracts thousands of professional people from different parts of the world annually and is mostly attended by companies that represent millions of dollars in food and beverage sales as well as club owners, operators, managers, distributors, mixologists, DJs, hosts, security and bartenders.

Exhibitions, workshops and conferences are held during the show which has been running for more than 30 years. A series of parties are held to expose attendees to a typical Las Vegas outing as three of the best nightclubs from there were selected to host the parties.

Speaking from Las Vegas, Devine Assignments director, Biggie Chinoperekwei, said they were excited to be meeting and interacting with influential people as well as learning new trends, technologies and products in the entertainment industry.

“We’re excited about the invitation and chance to participate in the world’s biggest nightclub and hospitality event. Las Vegas is known for exquisite nightlife venues that take the nightclub experience to the next level and the event is packed with innovative businesses, products, inspirational ideas and solutions,” said Chinoperekwei.

He said their presence there would change the entertainment scene in Bulawayo as they will come back with fresh ideas and hopefully lure buyers to visit Zimbabwe thereby promoting tourism.

“This is a perfect place to network, catch up with industry trends and make connections to drive our business. All this will help develop the Zimbabwe arts sector and also make sure our customers are given products which are current.”

Chinoperekwei said the nightlife in Bulawayo, which is fast becoming the entertainment capital of Zimbabwe, would never be the same again.

“We dream of making Bulawayo the entertainment capital of Zimbabwe and there’s no better way of achieving this than learning from the world’s entertainment capital — Las Vegas,” he said.

Beverly Sibanda

Showbiz Reporter
WHILE most celebrities and artistes attended Andy Muridzo’s album launch in Harare last Wednesday, there was one person who was notably absent — Beverly Sibanda.

The pole dancer and Andy’s side chick had fans in a frenzy last month after she announced that she was pregnant with the fast rising artiste’s child. As a result, most expected to see her sitting in the front row singing along to Andy’s new tracks, but alas, that was not to be as she was nowhere near the 7 Arts Theatre.

Speaking through her confidante and manager Harpers Mapimhidze, Beverly or simply Bev to her fans, said she was not invited to the Tichambotenderera album launch.

“We’re not in the habit of gatecrashing and since we were not invited, we couldn’t attend the event,” said Mapimhidze.

He said everything was going on smoothly between the two lovers.

Among the glitterati that attended the album launch were businessman Wicknell Chivayo, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief Karikoga Kaseke, MP Mike Gava, Honourable Simba Mudarikwa as well as comedians Madam Boss and Mai Titi. Also present were members of the Military Touch Movement record label — Jah Prayzah, ExQ, Tahle and Nutty O. Andy is signed under the label.

However, for now, people await the birth of Andy’s alleged child. It remains to be seen if Andy will contribute to the child’s welfare as he has made it clear that he is not responsible for the pregnancy.

“I agree that the affair with Bev happened some time back but I’m surprised that she’s saying she’s carrying my child. Is it by the Holy spirit that she got pregnant,” quizzed Andy last month after hearing that Bev was pregnant.

Mshoza

Controversial South African singer, Mshoza is embroiled in a money drama concerning the skin lightening products she is selling. Sowetan reported that one of Mshoza’s customers wasn’t happy with Mshoza as she still owes her money for products she never received.

According to the paper, Priya Korshal had bought skin lightening products from Mshoza in December and still hasn’t received them and Mshoza has been avoiding her and allegedly blocked her calls.

According to Mshoza she couldn’t deliver the skin lighting products because her supplier didn’t deliver on their promise but instead scammed her. “I have had to pay people back from my own pocket and Priya will get her money,” Mshoza says.— Dailysun.

The late Joe Mafela

BY THE time Joe Mafela died, he had already done everything he could in the entertainment industry.

This was what family representative Peter Ntamu said at the memorial service held for the popular actor at the SABC studios in Auckland Park, Joburg on Monday.

“The songs he was supposed to write, he wrote. We’re comforted because he died empty.”

Peter said Joe, who had just returned from a cruise with his wife at the time of his death, was a simple man who was dedicated to his family.

Jerry Phele, Lillian Dube, Mara Louw, David Phetoe and Mzwakhe Mbuli were among the celebrities who attended the service.

There was more laughter and dancing than crying in the packed auditorium as the speakers shared their memories of Joe. Veteran actor Sam Phillips said when Joe died, they were planning a project together. He said he got to know Joe’s work through repeats of his old shows. He said the SABC might have been broadcasting them to cover the fact that it was not producing enough new material.

“I have a script that has been collecting dust at the SABC for 15 years.”

SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said when Joe died he was shooting a TV licence advert. He said the SABC was airing repeats because it wanted people to learn from old talent.

Phele said: “About three weeks ago, Joe told me something was bothering him. He said the industry is full of people who can’t act and who just follow the money.” – DailySun

Nhlalwenhle Ngwenya
AFTER closing shop about two months ago, Sunset Sports Bar situated at North End shopping centre in Bulawayo is set to reopen under new management on Saturday.

The bar, which has been rebranded to Sunset Lounge, will now be run by Bernard Mubwanda and Nokuthula Masuku who took over from Russel Phiri.

Polite Gapare, Sunset Lounge spokesperson said the spot had been closed for renovations. He said they were now fitting in the sound system.

“The renovations are complete and we’ve put in new furniture to give the joint a unique touch. We believe that music is an integral part of any nightspot so the team is hard at work putting up a state-of-the-art sound system,” said Gapare.

Several local artistes including some from Harare will perform at the opening. They include Posto, Bovas, Master Jefta, Bovas, African Queens, Tare, 745, Massive Jefta and Flippa among others.

Gapare said the opening of Sunset Lounge would liven up North End suburb which had become dull.

“Our spot will offer unparalleled entertainment as we’ll often have live bands performing there. It’ll be a trendy drinking spot as our main aim is to bring life to the suburb, if not the whole of Bulawayo.”

POY

Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
THE rap battle between POY and Cal_Vin seems to have been won by Cal_Vin.

This is after the two released diss tracks Wanna Be and Butcher the Butcher at the weekend throwing shade at each other and asking people to judge them.

POY fans were upbeat last week when the rapper said he was going after Cal_Vin after the latter name dropped him in Ngibatshil’ Umoya freestyle. On the song, Cal_Vin said fellow rappers wanted to fight him as if he is POY, a butcher by day and rapper by night.

This did not go down well with POY, who works at a butchery in Bulawayo’s CBD, as he saw it as an attack by Cal_Vin. As a result, he challenged Cal_Vin to a rap battle on radio. The radio battle did not take off as the artistes opted to battle at a musical show instead.

And instead of waiting for the show as previously agreed, POY on Friday evening released a single – Wanna Be and used the baseline of Martians vs Goblins by American rapper The Game to take shots at Cal Vin. On the track, he lambasts Cal Vin saying he still lives in his mother’s house adding that he was used by SA rapper, Cassper Nyovest to distract fans from the xenophobic attacks in SA when Cassper staged a show here.

POY goes on to name drop Junior Brown, who Cal_Vin had a feud with last year, calling him a One Trick pony.

However POY, who failed to bring out the lyricism he brags about in the diss track, was not ready for the reply that came out a day later in the name of Butcher the Butcher.

The response by Cal Vin starts up with a voice note; which most believe is Junior Brown telling Cal Vin that he had warned him about haters before and POY was one of them.

“So imma need you to do this one thing for me real quick. Jus chow (sic) this down real quick like breakfast and send these n***z back to the Butcher where they belong,” goes part of the voice note.

Riding the beat of Obie Trice’s song Growing Up In The Hood featuring the Game, Cal Vin leaps in and viciously tears into POY.

It is two minutes and 45 seconds of carnage and it’s messy, packed with metaphors that make reference to POY’s place of work and his career. Cal Vin also says POY is only relevant when Cal Vin is in the picture.

“The last time you was important is when I produced this nigga/ He got best album without a thank you Cal Vin letter.”

He then goes biblical saying: “Oww Lord, will these Bones live again Oww Naw/ I’m the most Ghetto Ezekiel that you will ever know.”

Responding to the title of the diss track, Cal Vin says: “You calling me a Wanna be, when I’m the one you wanna be/ You always come to Kalawa because I’m the one you wanna see.”

After the release of the song and lyrics, fans decided POY’s fate with most of them saying he lost the battle, but put up a good fight.

Sentiments such as ‘POY was bodied’, ‘RIP POY’ and ‘Where’s POY’s funeral’ soon emerged.

One Mordecai King Lazzie summed up people’s sentiments.

“Yes Mgcini butchered the butcher . . . We even holding a memorial service in Jozi … RIP POY, let’s see the bones rise this time, not even Lazarus would!”

The only way POY can redeem himself is through the show the two want to stage. There he will need to pull out all his battle rap skills.

Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
FORMER St Columbus pupil Andile Dube received a hero’s welcome yesterday in Bulawayo after he did his school proud when he won the 2016 DStv Eutelsat Star Awards in the essay category.

The Nust first year student, who is studying Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, had written an essay about a New Age Space Satellite to improve the lives of Africans in the near future.

Although Dube missed out on the international prize to Ethiopia’s 16-year-old Leoul Mesfin, he was awarded for being the best in the national finals. For his efforts, MultiChoice Zimbabwe representative Liz Dziva presented him with a DStv Explora decoder and a Samsung tablet.

Also in attendance were Eutelsat Star Awards adjudicator Robert Mukondiwa and rapper Cal-Vin who also used the ceremony to push his latest album Uthando.

Addressing students and teachers at a packed St Columbus church hall, Dube said his winning essay was inspired by his will to make Africa a great continent.

“The time has come now for us to take care of Africa, not by looking up into the sky, but by looking down from the sky. All of us have a role in making Africa a better place, it doesn’t matter who you are. You should go out there and make a difference. We aren’t the Dark Continent anymore,” said Dube.

He encouraged pupils at St Columbus to take such competitions seriously.

“As your former schoolmate, I’d encourage you to take part in such competitions and above all, follow your dreams no matter how hard it gets.

“The journey ahead will be tough, but always remember that Thomas Edison failed 1 000 times before he came up with a working light bulb.”

After the presentation, Dube was swamped by his former pupils who wanted to take selfies with him. Some who were visibly inspired approached him for tips from the former public speaking champion of the school.

Dziva said dates for entry submissions for the 2017 competition as well as its topics were yet to be unveiled. A Zimbabwean, Mallon Marume, won the overall poster prize in 2015 taking after Joseph Mahiya who won the overall essay in 2014.

Lovemore Zigara, Midlands Correspondent
Award-winning comedian Doc Vikela, Samantha “Gonyeti” Kureya and rising star Kadem will be in Gweru on Saturday where they are billed to perform at the Hut Restaurant.

The April Fools’ Day comedy gig is part of the trio’s national stand-up comedy tour. The tour which started in Harare will take them to other towns such as Kadoma, Karoi, Victoria Falls and Bulawayo.

Coordinator of the Gweru comedy night, Justice Madaka who manages the restaurant said: “Gweru is a small town that has been starved of good entertainment. We’re hosting the comedy night as a way of thanking our customers, as well as reaching out to new ones.”

“I want to assure Gweru comedy lovers that this is not an April Fools’ Day prank as the three comedians have confirmed they’re coming.”

This will be one of the first major comedy gigs in Gweru which has mainly been exposed to the likes of Clive Chigubhu who performed at the same venue last month. Apart from Chigubhu, comedy enthusiasts have been entertained by Carl Joshua Ncube when he was on a mission to break the Guinness world record of the longest stretch of comedy performances in one week.

“We don’t want comedy to be a once off thing in Gweru. As an upmarket restaurant which serves western and traditional dishes, we want to offer our clientele entertainment that’s of the same quality as our dishes.

“Comedy shows will therefore be a permanent feature on The Hut’s calendar,” said Madaka.

@lavuzigara1

Diliza

Kiyapili Sibanda, Showbiz Reporter
STIFF frontman, Diliza, says the group which produced club banger Umcimbi is working on an album that will change the face of kwaito music.

The Bulawayo-born singer who is based in Johannesburg is a third member of the Kalawa Jazmee–signed kwaito group Stiff, whose other members are Nhlanhla “Mgijimi” Dlamini and Sibusiso “Sbu” Masondo. The group was formed two years ago.

Diliza, real name Delaney Dondo, said they were hard at work as they hope to finally release their debut album this year. They had hoped to release the album last year but the project was pushed back after thieves raided DJ Clap’s studio – a member of Uhuru – who was producing it.

So far, tracks they worked on with Uhuru, Pex Africa, Trademark, Big Nuz’ Danger and Character are complete.

“This year, the album is coming out and people should look forward to it as it’ll be nothing short of quality music. We’re working with talented and celebrated artistes and I can assure people that this project is going to be welcomed by fans,” said Diliza.

He said fellow artistes from Bulawayo needed to unite to push their works in order for them to be recognised.

“No artiste can carry the weight of the industry on his/her shoulders. We need each other for us to be recognised so we need to work together and push each other.”

“I’m not the only person who’s talented in Bulawayo, there’re many others so working together will be the best weapon to conquer and for us to succeed,” said Diliza.

The Kalawa Jazzmee artiste said he was on a mission to tap undiscovered talent and manage them so that their music is put out there adding that dedication and hard work had paid off for him.

“Anyone who believes in themselves can make it in life. First it was Jah Seed who worked with Oskido and then me. There’s someone who’s also coming and many others will follow in the long run so what stops others from pushing?

@Kiyaz_Cool

Beverly Sibanda

Showbiz Reporter
RAUNCHY dancer Bev, who claims she is pregnant with musician Andy Muridzo’s child, is set to perform in Bulawayo next Friday alongside her teacher, Zoey.

The show at Private Lounge will also serve as a double celebration for the two dancers’ birthdays. They will be joined on stage by the lounge’s strippers as well as resident DJs Blamie Boss, Galaz and Delroy with Nash Abra Tribe set to host the event.

Nash Abra said they were excited to be hosting the two dancers who are no longer strangers to Bulawayo fans.

“For the past three years, Bev and Zoey have been celebrating their birthdays at Private Lounge or City Sports bar in Harare and this year, they decided to celebrate at Private Lounge again, but in Bulawayo and we’re excited to host them.

“They opened the lounge here and as such we only found it fit for them to celebrate with the people who’ve been supporting their shows from Bulawayo as they attract full houses each time they come,” said Nash Abra.

He said the party would be an all white affair.

“To make the event exquisite and exciting, an all-white theme has been chosen so those attending the party are advised to come clad in white clothes.”

Bev’s manager, Harpers Mapimhidze, said: “The show is a double celebration. Bev and Zoey are celebrating their birthdays in Bulawayo with an All White party.

“But this is not just a birthday party as we’re also celebrating them for being the pioneers of striptease entertainment in Zimbabwe and what better place to do so than the home of strippers.”

Asked whether Bev was indeed pregnant and if she was fit to perform, Mapimhidze said his dancer would continue dancing until she feels she is no longer fit.

“Those who want to see whether Bev is pregnant or not must come and watch her in action. As a man, I’m not at liberty to know whether she’s pregnant or not.

“It’s only her who’ would know whether she’s pregnant or not. In the meantime, Bev will continue dancing and entertaining her fans across Zimbabwe,” said Mapimhidze.

Q Dube

Kiyapili Sibanda, Showbiz Reporter
AWARD winning comedian Q Dube is in South Africa attending the Johannesburg International Comedy Festival.

The festival being held at The Alexander Theatre is running under the theme “Stand Up Africa”.

Q Dube who performs today is expected to share the stage with renowned Nigerian comedian Basketmouth.

The comedian said: “I’m very humbled to be representing Zimbabwe in the midst of powerful comics. It’s an honour and encouragement for me to keep on doing what I’m doing.”

Q Dube said local comics needed to value their works and  always know that the sky is the limit.

“When an opportunity arises, fellow comedians should grab it. I hope it doesn’t take them as long as it took me to be recognised outside borders, but in case it does, patience and consistency is a virtue. Artistes should value their works and try maintaining originality,” he said.

He said performing outside the country was not a challenge for his act because his material is universal.

—@Kiyaz_Cool.

Djembe monks in action

Peter Matika, Showbiz Reporter
TRIBAL house trio Djembe Monks is upbeat and ready to share the stage with Jah Prayzah at the Large City Hall Car Park in Bulawayo tonight.

This is the Watora Mari hit maker’s 2017 debut appearance in the City of Kings where he is scheduled to share the stage with a number of other reputable names in the music scene such as Templeman, DJ Tamuka, Gary B and not to mention Bulawayo’s very own Djembe Monks.

The show starts at 6PM.

Djembe Monks’ DJ Slimza said they were happy to be sharing the stage with Zimbabwe’s runaway artiste.

“Like the way the show has been billed we shall make people dance to beautiful tribal house music. We also look forward to sharing the stage with Jah,” said DJ Slimza.

He said the last time they shared the stage with Jah Prayzah was in 2011.

“He was virtually unknown and it was during the Lion Lager Beerfest at Hartsfield Rugby Ground. Now his career has blown up and this is a chance for both of us to reunite and live out what we did years ago,” said DJ Slimza.

An event promoter from 2 Kings Entertainment, Terminator Makoni, said everything was in order, with advance tickets being sold for $4 at every Coloursel outlet nationwide.

“Advance Tickets are going for $4 at every Coloursel outlet in Zimbabwe. At the gate tickets will be going for $5. For those that don’t have cash we will have point of sale machines and will also be accepting EcoCash. As usual we will have tight security and will not tolerate any acts of hooliganism. Also there will be finely chilled beverages,” said Makoni.

2 Kings has been on an extensive entertainment promotion drive for the past two years and began the year on a high note by hosting the ongoing Gaffa Tour.

Actor, Joe Mafela’s TV lounge tombstone is trending on social media.

This is after his family forked out “hundreds of thousands” of rands to ensure the actor’s “flashy” tombstone embodied the life he lived.

The tombstone which was unveiled during Mafela’s burial on Wednesday is a replica of a living room complete with a plasma TV, TV stand and couch.

Bataung Memorial Tombstone’s CEO Lebohang Khitsane said it took just three days to create the massive tombstone, which was unveiled at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg.

“The family approached us to come up with a stone that adequately represented the actor’s life and we decided on the design. We wanted to reflect how Joe entered many of our living rooms and kept us entertained since we were children, from the times of Sgudi Snaysi and Going up to recently.

“The tombstone was to symbolise that he kept us entertained in our lounges and now we have given him his own to rest in,” Khitsane said.

He said Mafela’s family was extremely happy with the design adding that it had taken his team three days to work on the tombstone.

The tombstone is a complete marble living room with a plasma TV, a coffee table, a TV stand and a couch. It is also unique in that the gravestone has a QR code which visitors can scan to view clips, photos and music videos of the late entertainer.

Khitsane refused to comment on the amount that the family paid for the stone, but said that it ran into “hundreds of thousands of rand”.

The family also refused to speak on the cost of the stone and said that they preferred to focus on Joe’s legacy.

“It wasn’t about the money, it was about giving Joe a fitting farewell and paying proper tribute to him. He was such an important part of people’s lives and we really loved the idea of having him immortalised like this.

“Joe loved nothing more than to come home at the end of the day and just sit on the couch and watch TV,” Mafela family spokesperson Millicent “Milly” Mulelu said.

TshisaLIVE reached out to several tombstone companies and were told that there were several factors that would have gone into creating the one-of-a-kind stone.

“The location of the stone is in a prestigious part of the cemetery and can only be installed by certain companies. You also have to look at how quickly they had to make the stone and the materials involved,” a spokesperson for Tombstone Factory in Johannesburg said.

Three independent companies agreed that the cost of the stone would be well over R100 000 but less than R300 000.

—@TimesLive

Cornelius Luphahla, Showbiz Reporter
MARTIN Sibanda, the Ndolwane Super Sounds frontman’s anticipated new album Konke Sizokulungisa has been leaked — a month before its scheduled release.

Chronicle Showbiz has it on good authority that Ndolwane Super Sounds is feeling the loss of being hacked by music pirates both in Zimbabwe and South Africa as the new album is now viral on virtual space and shared for free on popular social media sites.

Konke Sizokulungisa was set to be brought to the public on April 29 at a premiere pencilled for the Hillbrow Theatre in South Africa. This comes as a cold shock to Sibanda and crew who a month ago announced with excitement the release of their second album in five years.

According to close sources in South Africa, where the group recorded the new album, Sibanda found his new album being sold in Cosmo City in Johannesburg on March 28 and began to attack his managers, blaming them for pirating his album.

Sibanda is one of the popular rhumba musicians in Zimbabwe and is based in South Africa. His manager Denzel Dube told Chronicle Showbiz that their album leaked from the Freddy Tondele Studios so they suspect it was an inside job.

“This is saddening. The new album has leaked. This is the work of music pirates and we suspect it was done by workers at the recording studio.

“I’m very angry and so disappointed about this incident. Now we’re carrying out serious investigations and hunting down suspects. I’m going to the police station to report the incident so as to find the perpetrators,” said Dube.

“The problem is that the album is in the studio which means this was done from the inside. If this keeps on happening, I think we’ll leave the music industry.”

Thandazani Nyoni, one of the band’s music directors said he was at a loss of words. He said although the album has leaked, it was not yet polished and properly mastered.

“I heard about this sad news of the leaked album. It’s out on the streets by crooked means, but not yet polished and I’m not happy about it because it’s difficult to release the album and we’ve lost out. However, I promise our fans that this won’t stop our album launch on April 29 at Hillbrow Theatre in South Africa,” said Nyoni.

When contacted, Sibanda professed ignorance on the matter. “I’m busy now. I don’t know anything,” said the musician before hanging up.

Tondele, the owner of Freddy Tondele Studios said he was aware of the album leak and revealed it was the first time his studio had such a problem.

He said he did not know who had leaked the album and said he was disgruntled because some people were blaming him.

“It’s true that Martin Sibanda’s album leaked, but I don’t know how it happened because it’s Martin Sibanda and I who have this album on our hard drives,” said Tondele.

“This is my first time to have such an incident in my studio. I’d like to advise the fans to be patient and wait for the official album launch. The problem is that some people are insulting me on Facebook and WhatsApp, tarnishing my image. They say I’m the one who did it.”

Since the news of the leak surfaced, Ndolwane fans on social media platforms have criticised the band for being careless.

Miriam Mangwaya
FOR two to three days, Tatenda Zvenyika (25), who is popularly known as Dr TM in the writing industry, types a chapter for his novel.

When he is done, he goes online, where more than 30 000 fans are waiting, and posts the chapter on his Facebook page — Dr TM Stories.

He also sends the chapter to the 45 Dr TM Stories WhatsApp group.

Everyday, his fans check his WhatsApp status and Facebook timeline to find out the latest progress on stories. After posting about 10 chapters of his plot for free on social media, he stops. Those fans willing to continue reading have to subscribe for $2 to get the full story.

“Within a month, for one full story, about 200 readers subscribe, giving me about $400,” said Zvenyika.

“I sell my stories across borders. Payments are also done online, via Ecocash in most cases.”

This is how a fast growing number of upcoming novel writers like Zvenyika are utilising social medial platforms to publish their articles and earn some money.

Believe Ndoro, a 23-year-old online publisher said due to lack of employment opportunities, some young writers have resorted to self-publishing, posting and marketing their work on social media at an almost zero cost. They produce their stories in vernacular languages, which they mix with English and slang.

“We’re living in the digital era where most people are spending their time online and I decided to follow the market,” Ndoro said.

“I graduated with a sociology degree from the University of Zimbabwe, but couldn’t get any form of employment. I need to earn a living and I cannot sit idle when I can do something that gives me money.”

Ndoro started writing in 2016 but she has already published three stories online.

Another author, Stephen Mutsago (25), whose pseudonym is HOD on social media is passionate about writing and is therefore using social media to market his work and increase his monthly earnings. He started writing in 2010, filing his articles, until he realised in 2016 that he could gain publicity through posting his work online.

Most budding writers said they started publishing their work online after failing to cope with the “cumbersome obstacles” they encountered when they attempted to publish through traditional publishing companies.

“Besides being unaffordable to a starter, it takes long, sometimes about a year, to publish through traditional publishing companies,” said Zvenyika.

“As a writer, I would be uncertain whether my story would be published or not. I can’t wait for that long to make money.”

Zvenyika started writing in 2015 and has published six titles, which include Ndiko Here Kuda Kwenyu Mwari, My Return and My Betrayer, among others, on social media. He is currently working on his seventh book, My Brother’s Secret.

Munashe Soka, a designer at Pearl Press Media, a small Harare publishing house, said he was receiving an increased volume of manuscripts from authors due to the growth of online publishing. He said young novel writers were editing their own work to avoid the costs involved in professional editing.

“These young writers skip the editing process because they regard it as very expensive,” said Soka.

“They edit their own work. However, they produce work that is way below standard.”

Readers also said although it was cheaper to purchase a book on social media, online self-publishing had compromised quality as they encountered some editorial errors that made some storylines vague.

“With my monthly Facebook or WhatsApp data bundles, I can browse through as many novels as I can from various authors, and I cannot do that with traditional book stores,” said Shylet Mudzara, a South African-based Zimbabwean who reads stories on social media.

“I can then buy a book for $2, which is also cheaper as compared to traditional book sellers. However, social media books contain vast errors that sometimes I fail to understand the whole plot.”

According to Brian Jones, the director of amaBooks, a traditional publishing house based in Bulawayo, readers may find it difficult to obtain good quality and differentiate narratives online.

“With the millions of titles now available online, it is also difficult for self-publishers to get their book noticed, whatever the quality, ahead of those published by the major international publishers with their extensive advertising,” Jones said.

Officials in the publishing industry also said the challenging economic environment in the country did not promote a vibrant publishing industry.

“Many people don’t have disposable income to buy books that are not on school syllabi,” said Jones.

“Many outlets that sold books have closed down, limiting the places where producers can market their titles.”

He, however, cited lack of support from the Government and other agencies as a hindrance to creative writing in Zimbabwe.

“Many countries help creative writing through direct support to publishers through the purchase of books for libraries. This doesn’t happen in Zimbabwe.

Libraries, including university and college libraries, only purchase books when they receive specific funding from donors for local book acquisition, and this happens very rarely.”

Soka encouraged up-and-coming authors to seek sponsorship so that they could publish their work through the standardised professional processes.

Miriam Mangwaya is a journalism student at the National University of Science and Technology

Girls enjoy at Hartsfield Tshisanyama

Showbiz Reporter
HARTSFIELD Tshisanyama in Bulawayo will be “lit” this weekend as the braai joint is encouraging people to team up, load their cooler boxes and make their way to the spot for an unforgettable experience.

Normally, drinks from outside are not allowed into the venue, but for this weekend, patrons are being allowed to bring their preferred drinks to drink and be merry.

Dubbed the “Cooler Boxing day”, the event today will feature a performance by SA-based DJ Zandi Maz who will be supported by resident DJs Ras Obido, Liz, Eugy, Wellyonz and Crazy Dee. Tomorrow, Victor Bravo takes over from Zandi.

Mduduzi Mdlongwa, proprietor of the popular spot, said entrance to the venue has been pegged at $10 per vehicle or $2 per person.

“The entrance fee covers those in the car and the cooler box. If one doesn’t have a cooler box, entrance will be $2 per person. Cooler boxes however, can only be brought from midday to 8PM, afterwards, they won’t be allowed into the venue,” said Mdlongwa.

“When the drinks in the cooler boxes are finished, people can only refill at the bar. We won’t allow them to refill their cooler boxes outside.”

He said this weekend will be unique in that a trophy will be given to those who will have the best/hottest crew as well as a fancy cooler box.

“Over the years, we’ve observed patrons and one thing we’ve noticed is that people usually come as a group. So, we decided to encourage this by awarding those who’ll visibly be enjoying with their friends/colleagues as we prepare for the Easter holiday,” Mdlongwa said.

After the outing tonight, an after-party has been arranged at Club Eden.

“People who’ll be at the outing on Saturday will be given tags which they can use to gain entry into Club Eden for the after-party,” said Mdlongwa.

Cal_Vin swarmed by St Columbus High School pupils

Showbiz Reporter
BULAWAYO rapper Cal_Vin had to be whisked away by teachers at St Columbus High School in Bulawayo on Wednesday after pupils at the institution jostled to take selfies and get autographs.

Cal_Vin was at the school to present a prize for one their former pupils, Andile Dube, who had won the 2016 DStv Eutelsat Star Zimbabwe award in the essay category.

All hell broke loose when the acting headmistress announced that students could take selfies with Cal_Vin just after the ceremony. And when the ceremony ended, everyone ran to “That Luveve Boy.”

He started off taking selfies using his smartphone and thereafter, pens, notebooks and hymn books were out as they asked Cal_Vin to sign autographs.

At first it was orderly, but everything went up in smoke the moment other pupils realised Cal_Vin was forthcoming and very patient with them. He soon tired as the pressure was too much and after realising Cal_Vin was having a torrid time controlling the students, a teacher at the institution came to his rescue and dragged him away.

The pupils let out screams of disgruntlement. Most who ambushed Cal_Vin were largely junior female students. The seniors took a laid back approach and waited for him to be free before approaching him for selfies.

After covering quite a lot of ground, Cal_Vin was whisked away from the school in an unidentified car. One of the pupils who declined to be named said:

“I’m so excited at seeing Cal_Vin. I want to take a picture with him and when he loads them on his Facebook fan page, I’ll download them,” she said.

Another pupil said she was blown away when she saw Cal_Vin stepping into their school. “I was surprised when I saw a ginger-headed person in front of us. We could only scream for him as we like him and follow his music. He’s somewhat an inspiration to us and it was great to have home in front of us,” she said.

One of the teachers said they were glad to have Cal_Vin at their school as there was actually a group that was talented in rap music and needed to be nurtured.

Cal_Vin said the love from the students was humbling as it showed that he was doing something right.

“It’s humbling because the moment I stepped into the school’s church where the ceremony was, the kids screamed. I was in awe. Even when I was outside, they swarmed me and I felt blessed.

“This is a validation for me because it shows that I’m on the right path. I’m having a positive impact on people, Cal_Vin” said.

The late Joe Mafela

Bruce Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
Since his sudden demise a fortnight ago, Joe Mafela’s life and death has been the subject on fans and admirers’ lips as they mull over the achievements of a showbiz titan that epitomised artistic excellence down to the moment he met his end on 18 March.

On that day when Mafela drew his last, not on stage as lovers of fairytale endings would have wished, but behind the wheel of a Ford Figo on the M1 north of Johannesburg, his death immediately cast a dark and depressing shadow. This shadow loomed as large as the much more joyful and positive one that his life and career had cast before the mechanical beast he was driving took him to a destination he would not have wished upon when he got behind the wheel of his car on that fateful Saturday.

Since his death, his praises have come from all over. However, it was his family’s gesture this week that drove home the point of how highly regarded Mafela was.

Mafela’s tombstone, a marble replica of a living room complete with a plasma TV, coffee table, TV stand and couch was as spectacular as the larger than life characters Mafela usually portrayed.

To some, the tombstone, which the makers Bataung Memorial Tombstone’s CEO Lebohang Khitsane said took over three days to make and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, was nothing more than showy opulence. To others, however, it gave the impression that Mafela’s family, after all his years of toil in the world of showbiz, was so well off that they could give him a glamorous sendoff to the afterlife.

In the same week that Mafela’s marble monster was unveiled, north of the Limpopo, Zimbabweans were also mulling the legacy of one of their own icons years after his death. Our sister paper The Herald revealed that Leonard Dembo’s mother was wallowing in poverty, unable to even to put together the money to buy a radio that could serve as a link to only thing that even death could not steal from Dembo — his music.

Tragic as it was, Gogo Dembo’s tale was one of many such heartbreaking tales that families share after the gravedigger has shovelled the last grain of sand on a beloved superstar’s grave.

A brief glance at history suggests that she is one of many that do not share the Mafela family’s post death glamour. In a past interview, Simon Chimbetu’s widow, Angela said life went off the rails as soon as her husband died.

Simon Chimbetu

“We were used to the good life and my husband used to take good care of the family. He was very organised and he left a lot of assets. Now I am a pedestrian, although my husband left a fleet of cars. I survive on vending health products and I also sell funeral policies,” she said.

Biggie Tembo’s widow Ratidzai was once reported to be squatting in an un-electrified two-roomed cottage in Snake Park, Harare as she eked out a less than glamorous existence selling isitshwala.

When artistes are alive, the state of their finances is rarely spoken about as they generally keep a lid on how much they make. While showbiz insiders might know that a lot of artistes’ coffers rarely match the image that they portray, this is not so for fans who only catch a glimpse of their favourite artiste when they are performing.

In a world where image is everything, many are not prepared to be honest about their financial wellbeing and the flashy life that they portray gives the impression that their bank accounts all have a clean bill of health.

“The problem with our industry is that it gives you a big name, but the money that you get doesn’t always correspond to how big your name is. So you end up with a big name but not the big bucks,” Winky D’s manager Jonathan Banda said in an interview.

With this being the case, it is only when death calls and artistes are laying six feet under, that their financial problems are washed to the surface.

With a long list of suffering widows, what are Zimbabwean artistes doing to make sure that those they leave behind are draped in the same elegance and glamour they bestowed upon them when they were alive?

Some believe that a lot of artistes fail because they do not have managers that handle their finances and generally teach them to be financially solvent.

Instead of employing managers that will drill them on the importance of financial frugality, they hire “yes men” that agree to their every request no matter how absurd.

“Every dollar should count. That is why management is important because these issues can not only be handled with foresight, but insight as well.

“Unfortunately our industry is small in comparison to South Africa or the East African market so many artistes don’t see the need for proper management,” said Banda.

In the age social media, where pictures are filtered and polished to give the impression that one is living large, the impression that artistes lives are all rosy will not be subject to an easy death.

Artistes like Jah Prayzah have made full use of such a platform, sharing freely with their fans that gape in awe at their seemingly faultless lives. Reality is less picture perfect, however, as even the Mudhara Vachauya hit-maker admits that thoughts of how he will survive in future are constantly on his mind.

“To be honest, I’m not a great businessman myself. One thing I acknowledge, however, is that while in our prime, we should invest in things that will pay off in the long run. Whether we do this through buying shares or investing in immovable property I don’t know. All I know is that we have to do anything we can to make sure don’t die in poverty,” said Jah Prayzah.

However, in a world where promoters only want to associate themselves with stars that are in demand artistes are now backed into a corner, as some feel like they have no choice but to keep feeding fans a glamorous, but sometimes dishonest image of themselves.

“That visibility is important because promoters won’t put money in your hand if they don’t know who you are. It might seem hollow to some people, but that publicity is how we get to make our money,” said rapper Cal Vin.