By Wadzanai Madhibha
Forgotten dancehall artiste, Calabash of the Pukunyu fame, has resurfaced with the theme song for the inaugural Chiredzi Arts Festival (Chi-Fest).
The potentially explosive gathering brings the sugarcane farming community into life from August 28-30.
The Chi-Fest will be held under the banner “Let It Play” where artists from various genres like Spoken Word, dance, music, visual arts, and literary arts among other genres will be represented.
In an interview with H Metro, Calabash- real name Artwell Kwenda- who hails from the Lowveld said:
“It’s an honour for me having been given this responsibility to record the theme song,
“And being one of the artistes who hail from Chiredzi, I will certainly utilize this opportunity to show people that I am still in the game doing my best even though people knew my once dynamic clique with Kuligan.
“I understand Kuligan is still in Chiredzi but we have since gone separate ways doing our stuff.”
The dreadlocked singer, who was also helped by a local journalist to translate the Shangani lyrics in one stanza added:
“It has been quite a unique experience working with all these seasoned people in the industry.
“I owe it to them and hopefully I will get there one day. I can’t wait for the festival and I am pleased with the ground work being done by show organisers.”
Chiredzi Festival marketing consultant Masimba Hove is looking forward to a successful festival.
“This is a new project and by virtue of artistes making enquiries with us makes s feel happy.
“It also guides us on all our preparations for the land mark.”
The Chiredzi Town Council, Lowveld Development Trust and local artistes have since endorsed the festival with more artistes making enquiries.
South African based sungura artiste, Zozo, who sings sungura in Tsonga (Shangani) and Venda has been invited for the event. H Metro
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