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Cindy Munyavi & Freeman HKD Release New Collaboration “Bad Energy”

Zimbabwean songstress Cindy Munyavi and dancehall superstar Freeman HKD have released their new collaborative single titled “Bad Energy.”

 

The uptempo, afro-dancehall track was recorded in the United States last month when the two artists linked up in the studio.

According to Cindy, “Bad Energy” carries an empowering message about overcoming negativity.

“The concept was written by Freeman HKD, real name Emegy Chizanga, and it says ‘Bad energy you can’t stop me,” she revealed.

“It’s about rebuking negativity that people may try to bring, especially when you’re trying to do something great. No matter what obstacles you face, you have the power to rise above.”

This will mark the second collaboration between Cindy and Freeman HKD, following their duet “Ndiwe Unoita” which was released over a decade ago.

“We are hoping ‘Bad Energy’ not only connects with Zimbabwean music fans but also gains traction with audiences across Africa and the diaspora who love afro-dancehall and afrobeats vibes,” Cindy said.

She described the single as “very uptempo and danceable,” with an addictive sound perfect for celebrating.

Lyrically, Cindy noted that the song also touches on having faith that God is in control despite people’s attempts to stand in your way.

“The final decision about your life and success lies with God because he is the author of our lives,” she explained.

With its danceable afrobeat-influenced production and message of empowerment, “Bad Energy” seems primed to be Cindy Munyavi and Freeman HKD’s biggest hit yet.

“Bad Energy” is a song written by Emegy “Freeman HKD” Chizanga and produced by Shamex, with Levels serving as the recording engineer.

The song was mixed and mastered by Wayne Beats, with Mhirado as the Executive Producer. The captivating cover art for the song was created by Andy-reezy.

You can watch the video below

Celebs, Fans Pack Rufaro Stadium for Electrifying Harare Derby

The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League is definitely back, and the excitement at Rufaro Stadium was electric.

 

It’s been a hot minute since we’ve seen celebs rocking up to the matches, but the recent Harare Derby between Caps United and Dynamos saw them trickling down to Mbare.

Rufaro Stadium was packed to the brim with fans decked out in their team colours, chanting and cheering like there’s no tomorrow.

And who should grace us with their presence but none other than the former first daughter herself, Bona Mugabe!

She even brought her little soccer star-in-the-making along who plays for the Caps United juniors and featured in one of the curtain raiser games.

Dancehall star Freeman HKD was in the house, too, waving his Caps United flag high and proud. You could practically feel the energy radiating off him as he hyped up the crowd.

Now, let’s talk about the match itself. A 1-1 draw might not sound like the most thrilling result, but the action on the field was nothing short of electrifying.

Kevin Moyo’s penalty kick had the Dynamos fans going wild, but Ralph Kawondera’s equalizer gave us the drama that keeps us coming back for more.

And you know what else keeps us coming back? The atmosphere! Rufaro Stadium was positively buzzing with a family-friendly vibe that made you feel right at home.

From the little ones decked out in their favourite team’s gear to the moms and dads cheering on their boys, it was a true celebration of soccer and community.

Nothing beats the sight of female fans feeling safe and comfortable enough to let loose and enjoy the game.

May the excitement continue to build, the celebs keep on showing up, and the family-friendly vibes keep us all coming back for more.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about the game – it’s about the shared experience, the camaraderie, and the pure joy of being a part of something bigger than ourselves.

Cheers to the Harare Derby!

Image by Hector Chifamba

A Night in The Woods With Janet Manyowa for ‘Worship Moments’ Scores Huge With Great Turn Up

Hosted at Art Farm, the 4th edition of Worship Moments was hosted on open air in the woods.

 

By Brian Mugaragumbo

Delivering a near 3 hour first performance, Janet Manyowa and team kick started the event at 1600hrs performing her discography up to 1900hrs non stop.

The reportoire included Makatendeka, Ndimi, Munondigonera Zvese, Jesu NdiShe and closed up with Yahweh to pass the mic to the guest, Nthokozo Mambo.

Nthokozo Mbambo is a former Joyous Celebration member who has nurtured her talent solo with releases like Jehovah Is Your Name, We Pray For More and Esiphambhanweni.

The singer introduced herself as the annointed ready to deliver uplifted souls by Janet Manyowa.

After performing a couple of songs she went into the delivery mode.

Sound went mellow as she invited everyone to meet with their God. Some went on their knees, whilst some were screaming – through delivery – and some were even crying.

It was like Jesus just walked through the woods.

After the delivery session, Janet Manyowa came back on to the stage to top another hour of performance to enlighten the souls with a string of her hit records – Nyasha NeNgoni, Zadzisa, Muchengeti – and to mention a few.

Before she closed up the show people kept on asking for Vaudze.

Janet tried to snub the request due to time and weather conditions but it got worse.

At the end, she performed Vaudze.

At the beginning of the event the NAMA award winning singer and songwriter hinted that this event was a live recording session which might come to streaming platforms globally soon.

Among the songs that were performed included some new ones, that is, We Join The Angels/We Cry Holy, Revive Us Again and Dancing In Your Light.

Revive Us Again warmed the crowd for a Nthokozo Mbambo moment which was phenomenal.

Even though this was not a revival crusade, with Nthokozo in the woods one would be delivered.

Then Dancing In Your Light was received well with a catch phrase, “Why stop now, keep praising…*

When Janet tried to wrap-up the event everyone started to chant, “Why stop now, keep praising…” and she replied, “Worship Moments ends now…”

Nonetheless, the crowd needed Vaudze and she gave them Vaudze.

Then it was a night to remember.

Sakhile Dube Crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe

In a night filled with glamour and controversy, 27-year-old Sakhile Dube was crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2024, beating 17 other contestants to take home the coveted title.

 

She succeeds Brooke Bruk Jackson who was the reigning queen.

The event, held at the Hippodrome in the capital, saw Lisa Sibanda emerge as the First Princess, while Ruvimbo Njomboro walked away with the Second Princess title.

Her winning package includes a Mercedes Benz C200 2020 model, courtesy of Style by Minnie, and a cash prize of US$10,000, which she will share with her princesses.

Sakhile Dube, the Bulawayo-bred model, has had a successful run in the pageant world, having previously won Miss Tourism Zimbabwe 2020, Miss Earth Zimbabwe 2022, Miss Supranational Africa, and Supra Top Model in 2023.

However, the credibility of the winner was questionable due to the absence of an auditing firm to certify the results.

The judges, including Former First Lady Grace Mugabe, Miss South Africa 2022 Ndavi Nokeri, Hilda Mabu, Kevin “The Wedding Planner”, Taku Mhlanga, and Brita Masalethulini, were seen engaged in fierce debates before announcing the winner.

This raised eyebrows, as it is typically the job of an auditor to tally the scorecards, not the judges.

Furthermore, the winner failed to deliver confidently during the question and answer segment, alongside the other top two contestants, sparking concerns from the audience both in the auditorium and watching online.

For the overall production of the show, the organisers would benefit from employing a producer to ensure the event runs smoothly, avoiding the delays and gaps witnessed during the pageant.

Ms Shally selected to Spearhead BET International Events

Eentertainment entrepreneur Ms Shally has been selected by BET International to organize the BET International event in Los Angeles, leading up to the BET Awards.

 

Additionally, she will oversee concerts on a global scale to bridge African and American cultures.

Ms Shally was pictured with Timbaland, Michael Blackson and Matt brainstorming on her next big event

This is not the first time Ms Shally has been entrusted with organizing events of a massive scale.

Previously, she led a team that hosted the inaugural African Leaders 4 Change Awards, which focused on highlighting impactful initiatives within the African continent.

The BET gig is another prestigious accomplishment in Ms Shally’s impressive portfolio, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to her.

In response to her appointment, Ms. Shally posed a thought-provoking question: “Which Zimbabwean artist do you think will be added to the star-studded BET International platform event?”

New Children’s Book Celebrates the Beauty of Afro-textured Hair

Businesswoman and Trichologist Dr Kuda Leticia Mupawose has released her first book, There’s a Pencil In My Hair.

 

There’s A Pencil In My Hair is a beautifully illustrated children’s book, a response to an apartheid South African method of assessing whether a person has Afro-textured hair to define perceived racial lines, splitting existing communities.

Similar practices were commonplace in numerous parts of colonised Africa, making its relevance to all people of colour important.

In this book, Dr Kuda follows the story of the young Princess Nia, who experiences this discriminatory practice, shedding some light on its far-reaching consequences.

The story explores her pain from exclusion until she meets Ama, a guardian of ancient African wisdom.

With the sparkle back in her eye, Princess Nia’s hope with pride and love for her hair is restored.

There’s A Pencil In My Hair is dramatically punctuated by bright, dramatic and emotionally contoured illustrations, the work of her son, Curtley.

“This book is dedicated to the resilient ones who have endured the injustice of the pencil test. I hope to provoke meaningful discussions on racial discrimination and identity struggles, ultimately fostering greater understanding and unity,” said Dr Kuda.

Dr Kuda Leticia Mupawose is a board-certified Trichologist and Pharmacology graduate from Michigan State University and Dudley Cosmetology University in North Carolina (USA) with extensive knowledge of the science behind good looks.

She has studied extensively and holds various certifications and diplomas from various institutions.

Dr Kuda is an accomplished entrepreneur and cosmetologist who owns a manufacturing company and manages hair loss clinics in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The business is spread into over 10 African countries, with the main operations based in Johannesburg and Harare African countries, with the main operations based in Johannesburg and Harare.

She is responsible for the product formulation of Feso, a revolutionary African hair growth product that, whose paper on the product was published in 2022.

There’s a Pencil In My Hair is available on Amazon in eBook format. It will soon be for sale in hardcopy.

“I Write My Shona Lyrics” — Gemma

Gemma Griffiths has just revealed in an interview with KVG on Star FM that she writes her own Shona lyrics.

 

“I write my Shona lyrics,” Gemma confidently stated during the interview. She further explained that she also co-writes with other artists, as seen in her collaboration with Enzo Ishall on the track ‘Titungamire.’

Hailing from Harare, Gemma refers to herself as “a girl from Harare.” Throughout her career, she has had notable collaborations with esteemed artists such as Winky D, Baba Harare, and Enzo Ishall.

During her appearance on the 326 Drive, Gemma took the opportunity to share some details about her latest track, ‘Chabuda Hapana.’

This new release cleverly samples a classic by the late Bob Nyabinde, honouring his legacy within the music industry.

Gemma disclosed that the recording of ‘Chabuda Hapana’ took place in the middle of 2023. Notably, the late Nyabinde had a significant impact on the rendition of the song, contributing valuable input to its creation.

The video dropped this afternoon and showcases the Nyabinde family, including the late Bob, adding an emotional connection to the track and paying tribute to the respected musician.

Be sure to check out the captivating video featuring the Nyabinde family, a touching visual representation of this remarkable musical tribute.

Zimbabwe Cricket, City of Gweru Sign Lease Agreement to Build New Stadium

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has agreed a long-term lease with the City of Gweru for the development of a new cricket stadium ahead of two major global events in the country.

The agreement, which relates to a 10 446-hectare piece of land in the Midlands capital, will be legally binding for 99 years.

ZC is looking to turn the plot into a multi-purpose stadium, including spectator stands, a VIP pavilion, a media centre, corporate boxes and an accommodation facility.

“This is a 99-year lease where Zimbabwe Cricket is going to come in to construct a state-of-the art cricket ground and us, as the City of Gweru, we are providing the space in terms of the land – it’s a 10-hectare (piece of) land so that at least they can put up all the facilities . . .” Gweru Town Clerk Livingston Churu said, explaining what the agreement entails.

“It’s actually a multi-discipline facility where you are going to have cricket, you are also going to have squash, I am sure, and all the other disciplines, even tennis. So that is how it’s structured.”

After signing off the agreement on behalf of the national cricket body on Friday, an elated ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni said: “We are pretty excited we have put pen to paper on the lease agreement between Zimbabwe Cricket and the Gweru City Council.

“This is a huge milestone as far as cricket development is concerned, as it means we are bringing cricket to the Midlands province.

“One of our strategic objectives is to become the number one sport in the country and to achieve that we are taking the game to all four corners of the country.

“But without Gweru, the capital city of one of the major provinces, that strategic goal or milestone will not be reached.”

City of Gweru Mayor Martin Chivhoko welcomed the development, hailing it as a game changer for the Midlands capital.

“As a city, we are happy with this partnership that we have entered with ZC for the growth of sport in our city,” the mayor said.

“It’s also going to improve our GDP as we are going to have visitors who will come for cricket matches in our city.”

The project has come at a time Zimbabwe is preparing to co-host two major global cricket tournaments, the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.

“As you know we are hosting the Under-19 Men’s World Cup in 2026 and the Men’s World Cup in 2027 and we will need practice and match venues . . . Gweru will be used as one of the practice venues for the main events, especially in 2027,” Makoni said.

“Whenever you host major events it’s got a huge economic impact on a country and cities.

“Bringing countries or teams to Gweru will have a huge economic impact. The spinoff will be huge in terms of accommodation, tourism in the city, the number of players and cultural exchange and all that will be coming to Gweru . . .”

Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival: Mat South & Mat East Crown Winners

The provincial finals for this year’s Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival commenced with Mat South and Mat East crowning their respective winners.

 

As in previous years, provincial finals are conducted across Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces to select the top dance troupes representing each region in the national finals.

In Mat-South, Bolamba emerged victorious in a fiercely contested competition featuring 10 groups. Ingoma Yophondo secured the second position, while Sekusile settled for third.

In Mash East, nine groups vied for the sole ticket to represent the province. Ultimately, the judges were impressed by Nyaungwe Dance Group, who clinched the first position.

Zvemberi Arts Ensemble and Nzwananayi Dance Group secured the second and third places, respectively.

Provincial winners received cash prizes of USD 2,500, USD 1,500, and USD 1,000 for the first, second, and third positions, respectively.

Next up is Mat North, set to host its provincial finals on June 1, followed by Mash Central and Masvingo, which will both determine their winners on June 8, 2024.

Raffles Wins Castle Tankard; Spectacular Music Show Caps off Race

Four-year-old gelding Raffles showed grit and determination to land the prestigious  2024 Castle Tankard GR1 over 2000m at Borrowdale Park on Saturday afternoon.

 

Raffles is owned by Messrs A Dixon, R S Dyer, S N Buchan, N Evans, G de Jong, M K Chant, Bryn Ressell, and R Sherwood, as well as trainer Bridget Stidolph.

In what was a thrilling contest to the finish, Raffles found just enough under rider Gavin Lerena to hold off the surge of Majestic Warrior, who had to settle for second place.

Completing the top three was Wantage, trained Bridget Stidolph.

Meanwhile, thousands of people flocked to Borrowdale Racecourse for what has become a common fixture in many social calendars.

They gather at this venue to experience the thrill of horse racing alongside their favourite Castle Lager beer.

This year’s lineup saw the return of veteran singer Alick Macheso, who demonstrated his exceptional guitar-playing skills. He left the crowd demanding more as he closed out the event.

Rising hip-hop star Bling4 and the versatile dancehall artist Master H pulled their weight, giving high-energy performances that kept the crowd entertained.

The ChillSpot family, consisting of DJ Levels, DJ Ribhe and DJ Fantan, created a festive atmosphere for the thousands in attendance. They brought along singer Ndunge Yut, who rocked the Castle Tankard stage.

Another star performance came in from multi-award-winning artist Freeman HKD.

The growth of Freeman HKD has been phenomenal. From strength to strength, the HKD Boss is proving why he is one of Zimbabwe’s most in-demand artists, both locally and in the diaspora.

His chemistry with his live band and skilled backing vocalists was a true delight to witness.