Freddy Gwala set to ‘Zumba’ in Zimbabwe

HARARE- Zimbabweans will this weekend have a feel of the “Zumba” magic when legendary South African musician Freddy Gwala begins his string of shows tonight. Gwala expressed his enthusiasm over the shows, saying he was ready to give Zimbabwean music fans the zumba magic.

“It feels great to come back to Zimbabwe after two years. When I am here, I feel at home,” he enthused during a telephone interview. Gwala will begin his journey in Harare at the City Sports Bar today before going to Gweru tomorrow, where he is expected to thrill revellers with his musical exploits at the Midlands Hotel.

He returns to the capital on Sunday for a family show at the Richwood Paraplegic Sports Club. Tonight, the zumba musician will be partnered by Jah Prayzah, while on Sunday he will be joined by the iconic Oliver Mtukudzi in what promises to be a memorable show.

The icing on the cake are complementary performances by Tuku, budding artistes Jah Prayzah and Romeo Gasa. Exhilarating dance ensemble Banyana Bafana will also add spice to the line-up, with their contemporary routines that have enabled them to stay entwined for quite a long time.

The promoter of the show, Biggie Chinoperekwei, expressed optimism and promised music lovers a top-drawer performance by a South African artiste after Zahara’s showing in February. “We are geared for the show and I can assure revellers that this will be a memorable show.

“We have drawn great talent in Zimbabwe to complement Gwala’s great artistry,” he said. Two hundred people stand a chance of winning free tickets, should they name correctly all the venues that Gwala will be performing at throughout the weekend.

Gwala’s popular “Amadamara” hit, which is a fusion of disco and soul, will bring a different version to the shows that define diversity with the mixture of youth and experience, let alone the encounter of sungura, katekwe, contemporary and zumba.

His first show was supposed to be at the Holly’s Hotel but was subsequently moved to the City Sports Bar. However, the other venues remain unchanged. Gwala became a sensational star in the early 90s with his “Amadamara 4”, which has one of his greatest songs — “Ngeke Ngiphinde” — which means “I will never do it again” a reminder of the time he spent in jail.

Gwala’s music draws much of its inspiration from the unbearable predicament of imprisonment and the reformation that should come afterwards.