Miss Tourism to represent Zimbabwe

Miss Tourism Zimbabwe, Rumbidzai Mudzengerere, and Miss Bulawayo/Miss Talent Zimbabwe, Nadia Gori, will both leave for China and Malaysia on December 9 where they will represent the country at two international pageants. Mudzengerere will participate at the Miss Tourism Queen International pageant to be held in China on December 27 while Gori will take part at the Miss Tourism International beauty pageant to be held in Malaysia on New Year’s Eve.

Jordan Chataika's legacy lives on

Ron Chataika

Ronny Chataika, son of the late King of Afro Soul, Jordan Chataika, with the backing of his aunts Edna and Molly is set to continue with the Chataika legacy when he revives the Highway Stars. The Highway Stars was a band of repute back in the 1970s under the leadership of the legendary Jordan Chataika. The group released popular songs such as "Muponisi Wangu", "Mudzimu Mukuru" and "Vakomana VeWenera".

"Ronny is blessed with his father's voice and with me and Edna as the backing vocalists, we will certainly bring back that smooth Chataika groove," said Molly.

Macheso, Chiwoniso No Show As Thousands Descend at Pakare Paye

Samanyanga Oliver Mtukudzi

The small town of Norton on Saturday woke up to solo sounds from various musicians who gathered at Oliver Mtukudzi’s Pakare Paye Arts Centre for the Pakare Paye Spar Solo Festival. For those fortunate enough to have been among the thousands that packed the Sam Mtukudzi Conference Centre to the brim, the festival had all the hallmarks of a thriller.

With rain showers blessing the gala, the festival could not have come at any better time than the close of the year. And indeed the musicians who participated in this event summoned up what this year held in terms of musicals — class. The festival was graced by noted musicians, among them, Steve Makoni, Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, Suluman Chimbetu, Tendai Manatsa, Selmor Mtukudzi, Kapfupi, Josh Meck and Edith WeUtonga.

Urban Groover, Stunner Sex Tape Leaked

Stunner and Pokello

Urban groover, Stunner’s sex tape he shot at his Avondale home with his girlfriend Pokello Nare has been leaked on the internet. Stunner, real name, Desmond Chideme, initially denied the existence of the tape and pictures. “My man I know nothing about any pictures; I have never taken pictures in the bedroom and I am in fact surprised about what you are talking about.

Artists dazzle at Spar Solo Fest

An exquisite ambiance characterised this year’s edition of the annual Spar Solo Fest extravaganza where an array of renowned acts from various genres of arts including music, poetry, dance, comedy, drama and storytelling graced the stage for solo performances on Saturday night. The venue was the Sam Mtukudzi Conference Centre at Pakare Paye in Norton. Since Friday, the centre was a hype of activity with pupils from schools around Norton, Bindura and Harare showcasing their talent at a free show before the main concert.

Young Igwe battles it out with Macheso at Pamuzinda this weekend

Macheso, Peter Moyo and Jah Prayzah

It will definitely be fireworks when the newly crowned "Igwe", Peter Moyo, takes on sungura maestro Alick "Cheso Power" Macheso in what is promising to be the biggest gig this festive season. Showgoers will be in for a treat in the much-anticipated "Cheso/Dhewa" show, which takes the form of an epic battle featuring rising star Jah Prayzah. Jah Prayzah produces jazzed up urban grooves fused with mbira. The young artiste is behind the hit song "Sungano" and this year released his third studio album "Ngwarira Kuparara", which carries the songs "Msango", "Chibvumirano", "Maria", "Chii?" "Daka" and the title track "Ngwarira".

Peter Moyo's love life in twists and turns since fame knocked on his door

Peter Moyo and Mercy

Peter “Dhewa” Moyo’s new fame has caused a stir in his love life amid revelations he has been dumped by a long time girlfriend over Facebook disclosure of his attachments to a number of other women. While his alleged girlfriend Mercy Gumbo exclusively revealed details of her “blossoming” affair with Moyo, the young musician claims he has lost his girlfriend because of her.

Joyous Celebration Choir Founder Accused of Adultery

Jabu and Kuki

INTERNATIONALLY-acclaimed gospel singer, Joyous Celebration founder and pastor Jabu Hlongwane is allegedly failing to keep his “bishop” zipped in. His underling, Thulani Mncube accuses Hlongwane of Cross Ministries Church in Sandton, of wrecking his marriage.

Mncube is divorcing his wife of five years, Kuki Mncube. Kuki vacated their matrimonial house in Jozi about four months ago after failing to cajole her husband into forgiving her for her indiscretion. A close family friend, who asked not to be named, tells us Thulani became violently ill after discovering that Hlongwane, who was a programme director at his wedding in 2005, was allegedly rogering his wife behind his back. Our source claims Thulani learnt of the affair when he stumbled on an amorous e-mail between Hlongwane and Kuki, a former backing vocalist for Joyous Celebration.

Zimbabwean makes it to top 8 in Miss Earth Peageant

Thandi Muringa (23), Zimbabwe’s representative to Miss Earth 2011, smashed into the top 8 finalists of the Miss Earth pageant which was held in Manilla in the Philippines on December 3, 2011. Miss Earth is the third largest international pageant in the world in terms of contestants after Miss World and Miss Universe.

I stand by what I said - Dudu Manhenga

He can afford my music. Dudu Manhenga & Peter Ndlovu

Dudu Manhenga who has been roundly attacked for saying her music was not for poor people has stood firm insisting that what she was saying was that from a purely commercial view point poor people cannot afford her music. She said that while poor people wanted to have cheese it was out of their reach. So was her music.

“Well, my brother art is a business and not charity. Does Meikles Hotel have to lower down their prices on the basis that a certain group of people are confined into a certain salary bracket? Does Tel-One have to lower their charges because some people cannot afford to use their service, no they can’t because, like me, they are in a business,” she said.

Yossou N’dou Trading Mic for Politics

Youssou N'dou

He is the son of a car mechanic who began by hustling pirated CDs in car parks and went on to become one of the most influential recording artists in the world. Now Youssou N’Dour is putting his music career on hold so he can enter politics ahead of presidential elections in his native Senegal next Februar“I will free myself of all artistic commitments from 2 January next year to enter the political arena,” N’Dour told a cheering crowd at the weekend. “For me, there are two Senegals. The Senegal of the have-nots and Senegal of the haves. My concern is the Senegal of the have-nots,” the musician added on his own TV station, TCM, in the west African country.

Gamu Nhengu Superstar in the making

Gamu

Gamuchirai Nhengu XFactor 2010 contestant is one of Zimbabwe's most talented singers in the UK. She shot to fame after giving breathtaking performances during XFactor performances. She was in the news when it was discovered her family was living in the UK on an expired Visa. God has been on her side, the family was allowed to stay after a legal battle which ran for months. Now she can concentrate on her musical career.

Young Igwe storms Masvingo today

Peter Moyo

Utakataka Express heir, Peter Moyo, will have to prove his mettle to music fans in Masvingo on Friday when he takes his act to Oasis Night Club. This will be his first show in Masvingo since he took stewardship of the band following the death of his father, Tongai.

Kirk Franklin to Perform at HICC on Tuesday 6th December

United States multi- award winning and contemporary gospel icon, Kirk Franklin, is expected in Zimbabwe on Tuesday for a show at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on the same day. In an interview with NewsDay, Ireland’s premier gospel resource BB Music, organisers of the show said: “Franklin will jet into the country on Tuesday morning and there is a line-up of activities he is set to engage in when he arrives.

Clash of Titans today with ‘Zora Butter’, Katekwe invasion of Chitungwiza

Chitungwiza and its environs will tonight come alive when two of Zimbabwe's prominent musicians Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi and sungura ace Alick "Cheso Power" Macheso share the stage in what promises to be an epic battle. The duo will be supported by Tryson Chimbetu. Dubbed the "The Final Showdown", the combination of Tuku and Macheso on stage at the same time is sure to send chills of sensation among fans, who had been waiting for this clash for months.

Sulu returns to Hwenje’s Village

Sulumane

Dendera prodigy Sulumane Chimbetu makes a welcome return to Hwenje's Village where he is scheduled to stage a gig alongside jazz outfit Too Open tomorrow night. Having performed at the official opening of the joint early last month, Sulumane is no stranger to the Glen Norah B joint famed for its proximity to the popular braai hangout, KwaFatso.The show, which will fuse together dendera music and afro-jazz with a mature traditional beat, is the first gig to unite Sulu and the jazz outfit. 

2011 darkest year in Zim's arts Industry history

Late sungura Maestro - Tongai Moyo

2011 will go down as one of the darkest years in the arts industry following the passing on of more than 17 artistes between January and October. It was sad to note that the year was largely characterised by mourning as the nation was left in a state of shock after being robbed of its talented song masters. 

Late Sungura Veteran - Cephas Mashakada