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Talent Bope

Arts Correspondent

Organisers of this year’s Uhuru Gala have said preparations are at an advanced stage, with everything in place for a great event on Saturday evening.

Various musicians are billed to perform at the celebrations which will be held virtually in line with Covid-19 regulations and restrictions, with no audience being allowed.

The gala, which is scheduled to take place at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), will run under the theme, “ZIM @41 Together, Growing the Economy for a Prosperous Resilient and Inclusive Society” and will be aired on ZBCTV and all their radio stations.

Principal information officer in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Lenex Mandipaza said more than 23 groups were billed to perform at the independence gala.

Mandipaza said the Uhuru Gala will be a perfect platform to remind the people of Zimbabwe of the country’s national goals, as the theme resonates with the attainment of Vision 2030 meant to attain an upper middle income economy.

He said presenters would mainly focus on evoking the revolutionary spirit of the forefathers, which spurred decolonisation and reflecting on socio-economic developments achieved in the new dispensation led by President Mnangagwa.

“Artistes are billed to perform on Saturday from 1800hrs to Sunday 0600hrs.Taking centre stage will be Zimdancehall sensation Enzo Ishall, Minister Michael Mahendere, as well as Agatha Murudzwa and sungura giants Alick Macheso, Simon Mutambi and Leonard Zhakata, among others.” 

Mandipaza said the gala will serve as a platform to expose for upcoming artistes to showcase their talents.

Upcoming artistes like Van Choga, Mark Ngwazi and Romeo Gasa will participate at the big stage to gain exposure and to spice the gala.

“This year’s Independence celebrations will be held without the usual festivities.We are going to come up with a well-polished acts that will enable the people of Zimbabwe to continue remembering that Independence was brought by the protracted struggle through the supreme sacrifice of the gallant sons and daughters of the soil.

“The platform will be the perfect opportunity to remind the people of Zimbabwe about the country’s national goals, especially the Vision 2030 of attaining an upper-middle income economy, which is in tandem with this year’s theme.

“It is also a window for the upcoming artistes to showcase their capabilities and gain relevance because this time we included new singers in the music industry so that we don’t have the same old faces performing every year.” 

Veteran sungura musician Leonard Karikoga Zhakata said celebrating independence was important for every Zimbabwean, adding it was a special day to reflect on the long journey travelled to attain freedom.

Zhakata said he was happy to regroup with other artistes to perform together after a long break due to Covid-19.

He said the event would give him confidence.

“The Independence Day is a special day for every Zimbabwean and it is a reminder of the long journey to freedom, so we have every reason to celebrate the day.

“We are happy because as seasoned artistes it gives us confidence, especially as we meet as artists after some disruptions caused by Covid-19” said Zhakata.

Seasoned musician Sandra Ndebele said she could not wait for the day, adding that people born after Independence were the major beneficiaries of freedom being enjoyed today.

“Independence is a way of honouring and paying tribute to the sacrifice of those who brought liberty to us. We were born as free people, we are the major beneficiaries of Independence since the ground was already laid by the gallant children of the soil,” said Ndebele.