spreading the gospel of Zimbabwe-made artistic talent during its festival week spanning from May 1-6 2012.
Part of the Harare International Festival of the Arts’ collaboration drive will see the exceptional Edith WeUtonga making her debut on the festival’s famed Telecel Main Stage.
WeUtonga is a sensational and revolutionary artiste who shifts all perceptions of female musicians.
Born in Kadoma, this musical prodigy began her musical career in a unique way. 
Her father was a member of the army stationed at Brady Barracks in Bulawayo and it was here that WeUtonga pursued an education in music.
She sang in the Army Band and after six months moved to Bulawayo’s Amakhosi Township Square.
Along with honing her musical talent, We-Utonga began learning acting and toured the country with Amakhosi Productions such as Athol Fugard’s Hello and Goodbye.
WeUtonga went on to become lead singer and songwriter for the all- female band Amakhosikazi (Queens).
When the band broke up in 2006 they formed a new band So What?! and relocated to Harare where they have, ever since, been making waves on the live music circuit.
They are always in demand!
After a traumatic accident in 2009, WeUtonga discovered a new sound within herself.
After the miracle birth of her son, with whom she had been pregnant at the time, Edith felt that cheating death had given her a new beginning in life.
She called her new sound Utonga, meaning dawn, and rebranded herself as Edith WeUtonga or Edith of the Dawn.
She’s a role model to thousands of young musicians, especially young girls who watch her play the bass guitar with finesse and grace.
Band members are Edith herself on bass and lead vocals, Fatime (vocals), Ishe Jere, on keyboard, Tariro Ruzvidzo, on rhythm guitar, Rumbi Tapfuma on conga and percussion, Aaron Kambilinga on drums and they take to the Telecel Main Stage on Sunday May 6.
They will also play with American visitors Publish The Quest on the same stage on Saturday 5 May, Coca-Cola Day.
American Super Group Publish The Quest to Return to Hifa.
Publish The Quest is a Seattle-based band whose talented members blend a plethora of instruments to create a fusion of blues, rock, ska and pop. Founded by songwriter Jacob Bain in 2008, Publish The Quest (PTQ) and its team of seven passionate musicians is dedicated to keeping feet moving, bodies shaking and minds engaged.
The group wowed the Hifa crowd on the Lay’s Global Stage last year. They also conducted music workshops and recorded with Zimbabwean artistes. The band has a strong social conscience and not long ago travelled to Cape Verde with Zimbabwe-born Johnny Fernandes, director of Salt, a project aimed at preserving the musical traditions of people who struggle to put food on their tables.
They worked with local musicians and conducted workshops at a local music school. Inspired after their visit to record “Sodade”, a song by famous Cape Verdean artiste Cesaria Evora, PTQ added their own interpretation and style and donated all proceeds to the music school. The band also works with Learn Africa, founded by Fernandes, to further its mission of African empowerment through the arts.
Publish the Quest combine dance music melodies, powerful lyrics, thumping bass, stout snare shots, sassy horns and wicked guitar lines, to create something both unusual and eminently danceable. 
Their show on the Telecel Main Stage on Coca-Cola Day, Saturday May 5, during which they will collaborate with Edith WeUtonga, guarantees a fun-filled evening of fascinating instruments and alluring sounds.
Although Coca-Cola Day, being a Saturday, inevitably has the busiest Telecel Main Stage line-up, other top acts to see on Telecel Main Stage during the festival’s six days include Ismael Lo, Oliver Mtukudzi, Winky D in a double at Hifa, Gregor Salto with Mokoomba and German sensations Jamaram.

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