By Margaret Kamba
The only surviving member of the Light Machine Gun LMG Choir, Cde Happiness Sibanda says in her efforts to ensure the choir’s music lives on, is incorporating young people into it.
Cde Sibanda who took time to showcase her crowd-pulling music at Daluka, St Lukes Mission in Lupane Matabeleland North Province, this Wednesday, spoke passionately about the music which she said needed to be awarded.
“This music was first sung in 1978 and we have out instruments and videos to the music to make it survive. It has been easy for me as the surviving member of the Choir to keep the music alive because I am working with the Children of the War Veterans. This music is a crowd-puller and carries the ideology of the Party, ZANU PF. I am like a preacher and the preaching must never fade, so the music must be played daily and awarded.” Cde Sibanda said.
“Music preaches more than the gun and a lot of young men and women crossed over because of the music and the gun. I would like all the born-frees to know that this country was brought through music and the gun and for that reason I will die supporting ZANU PF through music.”
Meanwhile, the Ndabezinhle Theatre Group which houses 10 members who says their form of art and showcase is also aimed at upholding the culture of the region.
Clad in black and white, the group took time to showcase poetry and dance to the crowd which appreciated every bit of the performance. The group which has made a name for itself provides entertainment at state events among other events.
Apart from music and dance, the various members take time to do farm, while others go to school and do wood and stone sculpting.