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Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
Chipaz Promotions, an award-winning music promotions company, has lined up a series of bashes to mark its 10th anniversary from April 11 to 13 in Harare. The festivities will start with a dinner hosted in honour of the artistes on April 10 aimed at bringing the musicians under one roof.
“The purpose of the dinner is to bring artistes together and create synergies among artistes, for I believe Chipaz and artistes are one.

“As you know, artistes rarely exchange notes and these synergies are key in life as they unite our entertainers,” Partson Chimbodza of Chipaz Promotions said. He also thanked other music promoters who came before him for paving the way  for others promoters to come.

“On that note, I salute Mama Red Rose (Barbara Chikosi) for being a trendsetter and a resilient woman who soldiered on over the years.

“I also want to thank my partner in crime as media put it, Josh Hozheri, Chris Musabayana, Esau Mupfumi, Clint Robinson and Biggie Chinoperekwei, among others, for a sterling job,” Chimbodza said.

He also cleared the air on the so-called “beef” with other promoters. “Of course, people might say a lot of bad stuff about Chipaz’s relationship with other promoters but I just take it as bar talk, period. In fact, Jesu aiponsea vanhu aiva nevavengi, ko iniwo hangu?

“If I didn’t get along with others, I don’t think I would have lasted 10 years in the game. As promoters we need each other and there is quite a lot which happens behind the scenes that people don’t know. If you want to know it then become a promoter and we will say welcome to the entertainment politics,” he said.

A Chipaz Sungura Night is scheduled for Gwanzura Stadium on April 11 featuring some of the top performers in the genre.

On April 12, there is going to be a soccer match pitting sungura musicians against Zim Dancehall artistes  and then later, music lovers will be treated to a party featuring top chanters among them Winky D, Sniper Storm, Freeman, Killer T, Soul Jah Love, Dhadza D, Ricky Fire and Seh Calaz, to mention a few.

The curtain will come down on the festivities on April 13 with a family show featuring top gospel artistes at Gwanzura Stadium.

On the bill are the likes of Pastor Charles Charamba and his wife Olivia, Mathias Mhere, Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave, Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, Sebastian Magacha, Trymore Bande, Blessing Shumba and Pianos Jaravaza.

Chipaz Promotions was launched in 2004 with a night club in Chitungwiza called Club Chipaz where it played host to some big names in show business.

After acquiring a promoter’s licence from the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, the company then started hosting big shows in and outside Harare. Some of the shows that were successfully held include the “Zim Finest Gig”, “Dancehall Shutdown”, “The Big Four”, “Sungura Shutdown” and “Dancehall Fiesta”.

It was only last year that the company was recognised for its role when Chimbodza was named the Promoter of the Year at the National Arts Merit Awards. A number of young musicians including Jah Prayzah, Kapfupi, Suluman Chimbetu, King Shaddy and Freeman have all been mentored by Chimbodza.