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Freddy Gwala and Beverly “Bev” Sibanda

Godwin Muzari Entertainment Editor
South African musician Freddy Gwala, who was in the country to mentor dancer Beverly “Bev” Sibanda, returned home unceremoniously on Wednesday after the programme failed to materialise. Gwala spent the better part of his one-month stay in the country holed up in a hotel room because of the confusion that surrounded his planned talent exchange programme with Bev.

Promoter of the programme, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and the concerned musicians would not agree on certain issues and the project had to be aborted.

Gwala was supposed to spend six months with Bev, nurturing her prime music career but the duo only staged one poor show together besides launching the dancer’s debut album titled “Tapinda”. Gwala assisted in the production of the album and features on one song. Speaking from his South Africa base yesterday, Gwala admitted his mission in Zimbabwe was unsuccessful.

“I enjoyed my stay in Zimbabwe but we were not able to do what we had planned because the arts council requires a certain figure for my performances and the promoter said the programme would be costly.

“We could have done mentorship without shows but the promoter told me he faced obstacles,” said Gwala.
The “Amadamara” hitmaker said a studio project he did with another local musician had rescued him from being dormant during his stay here. “I did some instrumentals for an upcoming Zimbabwean musician and I am coming there on November 14 to complete the project.

“I would have wanted to work with Bev and share my experience with her. It was very unfortunate that the mission was impossible. I hope we will have a chance to work together again in the future. She has potential as a musician and singing is the only way she can complement her dancing talent and sustain it.”

Bev’s visit to South Africa, which was supposed to be part of the exchange, now hangs in the balance as Gwala said there is nothing concrete so far towards that intention.

Bev expressed her disappointment at the development.
“We could not do much together. I wanted to get something from Gwala’s expertise but some developments throttled our mission. I just hope I will be able to travel to South Africa for some tutorials from the experienced musician. I am not sure what led to the cancellation of the talent exchange programme and the promoter knows better.”

The promoter of the programme said he had could not hold many shows because of the expenses he would incur in clearing Gwala for the gigs. He said he had opted for other arrangements for the two musicians to work together but Bev became evasive.

“I had a good programme but Bev started shifting goalposts and I lost interest. There are a number of projects they would have done as mentorship besides the shows. The shows would have been costly because we would have paid for each of Gwala’s performances.”