The spotlight falls on Gwanzura Stadium this Saturday, October 4, as the Chibuku Road to Fame 2025 National Finals bring together the top 10 provincial winners in a contest that has defined Zimbabwe’s grassroots music scene for a quarter of a century.
The event marks the 25th anniversary of the competition, which is organised by Delta Beverages’ Chibuku brand in partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.
The stakes are high: the winning group will walk away with US$15,000 and a recording contract, while second and third place winners will receive US$10,000 and US$7,000 respectively.
This year’s lineup reflects a clear shift in Zimbabwe’s contemporary music trends.
Of the 10 finalists, eight represent the Afro-fusion genre, underscoring its growing dominance across the country.
Other genres, including Sungura, traditional contemporary music, and Afro-jazz, remain represented but in smaller numbers, pointing to how tastes among emerging musicians are evolving.
Organisers have also lined up a heavyweight after-party program to transform the finals into a full-day celebration.
Superstar performers including Winky D, Killer T, Feli Nandi, Saintfloew, DJ Nash, Travellers Band, and Kweseka Band will take the stage once the competition concludes.
The event is free to adults aged 18 and above, a move expected to draw thousands to Gwanzura, situated in the heart of Harare’s Highfield suburb.
For many, the concert represents not only a chance to discover the next big act in Zimbabwean music but also to enjoy a festival atmosphere reminiscent of the country’s major cultural showcases.
Launched in 2001, Chibuku Road to Fame has grown into Zimbabwe’s premier grassroots music competition.
Over the past 25 years, it has unearthed talent from rural villages and urban neighborhoods, giving unknown acts the opportunity to perform on national stages and launch professional careers.
The revamped 2025 format consolidated provincial contests into larger regional competitions, intensifying the road to the finals at Gwanzura.
With Gwanzura’s historic stage set to host both the national showdown and a star-studded after-party, the 2025 Road to Fame finals are poised to be one of the most memorable in the competition’s history.
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