12 November will for a long time be etched in the memory of the arts industry in Bulawayo and Zimbabwe, not only as a celebration of Sandra Ndebele’s 20-year career, but as a day an album launch united the sector.
Songstress Sandra Ndebele launched her 10th album at the ZITF Hall 3 in Bulawayo on Saturday night.
The event was a culmination of her 20 years in the arts sector since 2002, when she released her first song, Mama.
The album had a lot since its announcement, as it was to many music fans, a “must-attend event”.
Sandra proved that she still has the pull that many artistes can only dream of as the launch, which was streamed live on Facebook, was watched by thousands.
In the audience, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Tino Machakaire, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Minister Dr. Sithembiso Nyoni and Zimbabwe Music Awards (Zima) chief executive officer Mr. Reason “Rizzla” Sibanda were in attendance.
Personalities, Madam Boss, Mai TT, and Lorraine Guyo also attended.
Sandra Ndebele presents her auctioned CD to Professor Mthuli Ncube.
The high-powered Government delegation pledged its support for the artiste by buying the album for a combined total of over US$30 000.
After launching the album, an auction was initiated, and Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube bought the album for US$8 500, setting the tone for the night.
He went on stage and was presented with the album by Sandra.
Thereafter, Deputy Minister Machakaire went on stage and whipped up the crowd, with the help of DJ Eugy, by singing a rendition of Lovemore Majaivana’s song UMoya Wami.
He then said since he gave Alick Macheso US$10 000 for his album launch, for Sandra Ndebele he was pledging US$13 000. He received wild cheers from the crowd for this gesture.
The celebrations continued during the second round of auctions when Zima boss Rizzla bought the album for US$4 500. Actress, Madam Boss also took to the stage in the company of social media sensation, Lorraine Guyo and said she would buy the album for US$1 000. Lorraine Guyo said she would part with US$100.
Local music promoter Rice also pledged US$1 000 and the Young Women for Economical Development said they would buy the album for $500 while the organisation’s chairperson Tatenda Mavetera pledged US$1 000.
SMEs Minister Dr. Nyoni pledged four cows.
Fellow artistes that were there in support of the event that was hosted by Babongile Sikhonjwa and Zaza The Zazalicious One included Jeys Marabini and Novuyo Seagirl.
Source – The Chronicle