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Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
The stage is set for what appears to be three days of serious partying at the Chipaz 10th anniversary scheduled for the weekend at Gwanzura Stadium with several top class acts lined up for the festivities.
Never mind the wintry nights, the partying starts tonight with a must-attend “Sungura Night” featuring the who’s who in the genre. On the bill are some of the talented musicians in the mould of Alick Macheso, Leonard Zhakata, Peter Moyo, Jah Prayzah, Romeo Gasa, First Farai, Somandla Ndebele, Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zakaria and Kapfupi.

The Chimbetus — Suluman and Tryson will make sure that dendera music fans  are well catered for as the two will perform different sets and playlists.

Another newbie at the “Sungura Night”  is none other than the controversial singer Jacob Moyana of the “Munotidako” fame.

Moyana who is known for his notoriety in song,  failed to perform at the 21st February Movement gala held at the same venue in February as organisers felt his lyrics were not appropriate for such an occasion.

However, Moyana has since made it clear to Chipaz that he was much more than what most people think or say about him. He is not a musician who thrives on sexually explicit content but has a catalogue of other hits that are perceived as “clean”.

According to Moyana of the “Munotidako” fame, his music is clean except for those with a dirty mind. It appears all eyes will be Moyana who will be testing the waters among the big names in the likes of Macheso, Madzibaba, Leonard Zhakata and First Farai to mention a few.

Then comes the clash of the titans on Saturday with  non-stop music as Zim Dancehall are scheduled to perfom at an after-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 Sunday 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, Pastor G, Sebastian Magacha, Trymore Bande, Blessing Shumba and Pianos Jaravaza.

There is no doubt these are some of the heavy hitters in gospel and fans should watch out for Pastor G. The talented  singer always defies his weight to outshine other musicians with his fancy footwork. Riding on the success of his album titled “Indestructible” Pastor G commands a huge following locally and overseas especially in the United Kingdom.

Fans can expect to see  Macheso and Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zakaria rekindling the good old days when the two used to be the core of famed group — Khiama Boys.

Yes, those days the Khiama Boys had several talented musicians with Madzibaba and Macheso leading in vocals.

The group recorded a number of hits including the chart toppers “Ndineurombo”, “Mabhauwa” and “Mabvi  Nemagokora” which is often loosely translated as “On bending knees” by the group’s zealous fans.

There is no doubt there are some people who still long for those days and you cannot blame for that because the Khiama Boys used to be a staple on ZBCTV musical programmes.

Both Macheso and Madzibaba are veterans in their own rights and it is hard to compare to the two considering that Macheso has high regards for Madzibaba who is also known as the Senior Lecturer.

Other exciting duets will come from Jah Prayzah and Suluman, Somandla and Young Igwe as well as the Chimbetus.

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.