ONLY two days are left before the year 2023’s curtains come down to welcome 2024. NewsDay Life & Style takes a glimpse at some of the major highlights on the showbiz scene in 2023.
Zim model Brooke Bruk-Jackson at Miss Universe 2023
After a 22-year hiatus, Zimbabwe this year managed to send a representative, Brooke Bruk-Jackson to this year’s edition of the Miss Universe 2023 held at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador.
The 21-year-old beautician was crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023 on September 16 at a glitzy and glamourous ceremony held at Harare Hippodrome auditorium. Amanda Mpofu and Nokutenda Marumbwa were crowned the first and second princess, respectively.
Bruk-Jackson’s victory, however, sparked fierce debate on different digital platforms with critics arguing that the white model was not a suitable representative of the nation at the pageant. Admitting that the competition was tough on the international ramp, Bruk-Jackson, who made it in the top 10 finalists of the Voice for Change competition, acknowledged that she had learnt a lot at the pageant.
Zim artistes shine at US awards
It was a good year for some of the local artistes across genres as they won international awards. Some artistes raised the country’s flag high at this year’s edition of the Annual African Entertainment Awards, US held in November at Newark Symphony Hall.
The awards, according to the organisers, sought to honour Africans’ excellence across all crafts and industry sectors, including entertainment, entrepreneurship and community.
- Ex-Q, Winky D, Baba Harare head for Odyssey
- Etherton Beenie, Garry B return to Byo
- Ex-Q, Winky D, Baba Harare head for Odyssey
- Etherton Beenie, Garry B return to Byo
Keep Reading
Among the winners were dancehall president Winky D, who emerged the Best Reggae/Dancehall Artiste against heavyweights such Jamaican reggae dancehall musicians Buju Banton and Popcaan as well as Ghanaian reggae dancehall singer Shatta Wale.
Jah Prayzah scooped Best Male Artiste East/South/North Africa gong, songbird Gemma Griffiths got Best Female East/South/North and South Africa-based Zimbabwean singer Lynol “Mr Brown” Siwela won Best Collaboration award for his duet MaGear featuring Mzansi singer Makhadzi.
UB40 featuring Ali Campbell comes to Zim
English reggae and pop outfit UB40 featuring Ali Campbell performed in the country on Africa Day (May 25) at a sold-out gig held at Old Hararians Sports Club in Harare. Their Zimbabwe show was courtesy of Walter Wanyanya of Ngoma Nehosho Promotions.
The group was on a southern Africa tour that saw them also performing in South Africa. Some members of the group returned to Zimbabwe having been part of the original UB40 outfit that staged a memorable performance at Rufaro Stadium about 37 years ago. Locals DJs Chiwedaar, Mimmie Tarukwana, Josh Ansley and Sylent Nqo warmed up the stage for the British music outfit.
When Holy Ten touched off an unholy storm
In February, controversial rapper Holy Ten touched off a storm after he dissed dancehall president Winky D describing him as “a snake longer than his dreadlocks”. The rapper called Winky D a “snake” a deceiving and manipulative artiste, despite regarding the Mugarden hitmaker as his mentor in the past.
This was after Holy Ten featured on a duet Ibotso off Winky D’s Eureka Eureka album that preaches tolerance. Holy Ten’s “unholy” acts against the Ninja president shocked many music followers, as it came a few hours after the release of their collaboration. Holy Ten, also known as Mujaya took to microblogging site X to announce that he regretted having a collaboration with Winky D on the song that is perceived as having political connotations. He claimed that he was tricked by the Gaffa to record a political song. Since then, Holy Ten has continued to throw brickbats at Winky D.
Miss EcoTourism in abortion scandal
Miss EcoTourism Zimbabwe Boitshepo Shumba was in May caught up in an abortion scandal. The 20-year-old rising model fell pregnant, which is against the rules of the pageant concerning a title holder.
An ultrasound scan report dated April 10, 2023, bearing the model’s name confirmed “a single live intrauterine foetus” in first trimester. In a bid to save face, she reportedly aborted the pregnancy.
Manyeruke switches off microphone
After years of entertaining people, Baba Machanic Manyeruke, one of the country’s pioneers of gospel music, decided to switch off his microphone as he officially announced his retirement from music in October.
Although he has called it quits, the legendary musician will only be available for “special” events as and when needed.
Born on August 16, 1942, in Chiwundura village, Gweru, Manyeruke started his music career between 1956 and 1957 when he was still a student at St Patrick’s.
Before he ventured into the gospel genre, Manyeruke was a secular musician and recorded his debut single in 1969. Four years later, he recorded an album with the The Four Brothers.
His rich discography includes Mwari IsheWazvose, Makorokoto, Ndeyeiko Nyaya, Muchandiziva Here, Ndinamatire, Ndaiti Ndazorora, Ari MandiriJesu and Tichatevera, among others.
Zim hosts art for social transformation conference
Arts mother body, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe in partnership with Teaching Artists Institute headquartered in Baltimore, United States hosted the seventh edition of the Artizen Conference on Art for Social Transformation Zimbabwe at Zimbabwe College of Music in Harare. The conference held from November 4 to 7 seeks to encourage idea exchange for artists, community developers, the media, policymakers and potential investors.
Zimbabwe was chosen to host the conference following the secondment of the former Matabeleland North provincial manager, Eunice Ndlovu, to the sixth edition of the conference in Kenya.
The conference, which was attended by cultural and creative practitioners, among other stakeholders from all categories of the arts, ran under the theme Connecting Artist and Art Culture to Sustainable Development.
Mr Teen Zim dethroned over US$30
In an act of shame, organisers of the annual Mr Teen Zimbabwe pageant in October grabbed headlines for wrong reasons after they dethroned Mr Teen Zimbabwe 2023 Abel Mugari amid allegations of defaulting on a US$30 bootcamp fee and failure to attend the bootcamp among other reasons.
Mr Teen Zimbabwe 2022, David Takavarasha replaced Mugari as the Mr Teen Zimbabwe 2023. In defending his decision, Mr Teen Zimbabwe organiser Ishmael Murangandi said the decision to dethrone Mugari was made following a thorough investigation into his conduct, which was found to be unacceptable. He further noted that reasons for the dethronement known by both parties could not be disclosed to the public to protect Mugari’s reputation.
Chipo Basopo-Chindungwe leaves Chipawo
After 20 years of service in various capacities until she was appointed director at the Children’s Performing Arts Workshop (Chipawo), Chipo Basopo-Chindungwe in August called it quits. Chipawo provides a platform to empower youths and develop arts talent. Some of its notable products and pioneers include the likes of Danai Gurira who is now plying her trade in Hollywood, the late music star Chiwoniso Maraire, David Chifunyise, Gugu McLaren Ishewekunze, Rute Mbangwa and Charmaine Picardo.
Announcing her resignation from Chipawo, Basopo-Chindungwe said she was privileged to be one of the pioneers in the arts catering for children and young people. She told NewsDay Life & Style that the vision for a better cultural experience and exposure for children and young people were the driving force that kept her for years at Chipawo.
Local sculptor clinches Swiss deal
Sculptor David Mashoko clinched a deal with a Swiss agent, Rolf Haussener to promote Zimbabwean sculpture around the world in a win-win scenario. Mashoko has emerged as the beacon of Zimbabwean sculpture, often referred to as Shona sculpture.
He specialises in carving female figures and family scenes from hard stones such as opal and springstone. His pieces have been very popular around the world, and he has established a market in countries such as the United States of America, Germany, Netherlands, South Korea and Switzerland. He has won many contests where Zimbabwean sculptors displayed their art.
Sekunjalo maAfrica Arts dance group wins Chibuku dance fest
Sekunjalo maAfrica Arts dance group from Bulawayo in July pocketed US$15 000 after being crowned the ultimate winners at this year’s edition of Chibuku Traditional Dance Festival national finals held at Harare Gardens.
Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival is sponsored by Delta Beverages through its Chibuku brand as part of its corporate social responsibility. The traditional dance fête has grown to be one of the country’s biggest platforms in supporting local talent.
At the competition, the 18-member Sekunjalo maAfrica Arts dance group performed a Zulu warrior dance, Umzanzi, which is usually done by warriors when they come from war or when they are celebrating.
911 Band crowned Chibuku Road to Fame champs
Afro fusion group 911 Band from Midlands province was crowned this year’s Chibuku Road to Fame champions in October. The band proved its mettle against nine other provincial finalists to emerge winners at the competitions national finals held at Takashinga Cricket Club in Highfields, Harare.
For its efforts, 911 Band pocketed US$15 000 plus a lucrative recording contract that will fund the recording of their debut album and its launch.
The annual competition is a collaborative effort between the sole sponsor Delta Beverages through its Chibuku brand and the arts mother body, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe. It starts at provincial level and winners from the country’s 10 provinces compete at national level for a monetary prize, plus a fully paid recording contract. This year’s competition was held under the theme Imba Tinzwe, Cula Sizwe Super Star.
