By Yeukai Karengezeka
HARARE – The Zimbabwe Censorship Board says it has nothing against pole dancer-cum-musician Beverley Sibanda, but it is their duty as a regulatory board to make sure that all public entertainers are registered.
Speaking at Bev’s album launch at the Private Lounge in Harare on Wednesday, secretary of the board Isaac Chivanganyika said all the artistes in Zimbabwe should register with the board.
“I together with all the members of the board went to serve her (Bev) with registering forms at Londoners when she was performing there sometime back. It’s not that we wanted to harass her but we wanted her to do the right thing,” he said.
Chivanganyika said all artistes needed to register with the board. The album launch, which was also attended by renowned music critic Professor Fred Zindi, saw Bev performing songs from her debut six- track album titled “Tapinda”.
Professor Zindi said Bev’s transformation was necessary for her to survive in the entertainment industry.
“We all remember System Tazvida because he composed the song ‘Anodyiwa Haataure’. I remember telling Sandra Ndebele through my column that she should sing more than dance and she did that with relative success. I am happy that Bev is following suit.
“From the songs that I have heard ‘Shaya Ngoma’ and Tapinda’ I think she is good. From now onwards I will start to write positively about Bev,” he said.
Bev, who features South African great Freddy Gwala, Congolese chanter Shiga Shiga and Botswana-based producer Dr Tawanda Benson was obviously ecstatic about her achievements.
“l feel honoured and happy that for the first time I am offering my fans a comprehensive product since I have only been dancing from the time I ventured into the arts,” she said.
Her fans who feel that Bev has turned over a new leaf by getting into music and might not continue dancing are in for a surprise because she will now juggle the two roles.
“Since my songs are few l will continue with my pole dancing until I am financially stable and well established in the music arena,” she said.
Gwala could not conceal his joy working with Bev.
“l want to thank God who made this album possible, I didn’t know that l was so special that I was chosen to collaborate with her. Zimbabwe it’s you that has made me who I am today.
Dr Tawanda, who also worked with Bev, said she measured up to the task despite of her limited background in music.
“It was quite an experience for me to work with Bev and try to convince her to start singing,” he said.
