Aunty Dot and Abigail Kubeka
Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
VICE President Phelekezela Mphoko on Thursday night presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned Afro Jazz musician Dorothy “Aunt Dot” Masuku who for over 50 years, contributed to the growth of Bulawayo’s music industry.
The award named the Order of Mzilikazi, is awarded to any person who contributes to the heritage of Bulawayo.
Aunt Dot was the main act at the Bulawayo Jazz International Festival held at the Bulawayo Country Club that had performances from Abigail Kubeka, superstar Oliver Mtukudzi, Jeys Marabini, Albert Nyathi and the Outfit Band.
The show was part of efforts to raise money for the less privileged in society and was also attended by Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, war veterans Minister Tshinga Dube businessman Sonny Phiri and his wife former Miss Zimbabwe Lorraine.
Presenting the award VP Mphoko who was accompanied by his wife, Laurinda, said Aunt Dot put Bulawayo on the world map through her illustrious jazz career.
“We would like the Bulawayo International Jazz Invitational to be an annual event. This is because it reminds me of my days when I was young in the streets of Makokoba dancing to various jazz tunes,” said VP Mphoko.
VP Mphoko called for the revival of the vibrancy of jazz music in Bulawayo.
“I would like to thank Minister Moyo for organising such an event as part of efforts to bring back the glory days of Bulawayo. I was speaking to the mayor some time ago, and I said at the Manwele Bar a long time ago there were public announcements made by the local authorities and Aleck Nkatha, Johanne Hadebe and Dorothy Masuku would sing,” said VP Mphoko.
Masuku said she was honoured to receive the award.
“I’m amazed that I’ve been given the award which is the Order of Mzilikazi. It also reminds me of the days when I was young. I remember competing for the Miss Mzilikazi crown and winning at Stanley Hall,” she said.
Masuku thereafter sang one of her tracks Mzilikazi and VP Mphoko and wife danced with her on stage amid cheers and ululations from the sizeable crowd.
Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko and wife Laurrida (left) join the jazz legends Dorothy Masuku and Abigail Kubeka in song and dance at a show held in Bulawayo on Thursday night. On the right is the Bulawayo Province Minister of state Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo. (picture by Nkosizile Ndlovu)
Organiser of the show Mmillili Tapela said the amount of money raised and names of beneficiaries will be announced next week.
During the show Masuku and Kubeka rolled back the years and showed how it is done on stage as they threw away their crutches and wheelchairs. Braving the freezing temperatures, the duo belted out yesteryear hits such as Pata Pata.
Superstar Mtukudzi assisted by drummer, Sam Mataure, also got people on their feet.
Not to be outdone was Jeys Marabini who took the opportunity to sample some of his tracks from his latest album.