Sungura Returns to Old Chez Ntemba

From the Namibian
by Conrad Angula, 2nd May 2012

The Old Chez Ntemba presents a chance for Sungura music lovers to celebrate this highly energetic music genre.

A confident looking Sylvester Simabuli, manager of Old Chez Ntemba, told The Namibian earlier this week that management have set up a Sungura Bash for this coming Saturday, which promises to be a real treat for lovers of the genre.

Topping the bill is Benny Mwanamwali, a popular figure in the Katima Mulilo area, the Nakabolelwa village-born veteran musician, started playing music at the tender age of 15.

“I started strutting a guitar I built from a cooking oil tin. It was not really the perfect way of entertaining people but the melodies coming from my home-made instrument had mesmerising effects on my fans.

“My first song was titled ‘If I Am Right No One Remembers But If I Am Wrong No One Forgets’. I played my first real big gig in 2008 when I backed Zimbabwean artist Simon Chidhuza who inspired me into playing Sungura music,” said Benny.

Despite having been around the music scene for quite a while, it will be Benny’s first gig in the capital.

He will be backed up by Zimbabwean-born Mr Simple, the hip-rolling Navara of Sumunuke, Eugene Kubwima, MaSeven and the popular DJ Siya.

Damage for the show, which is sponsored by Obina’s Palace and Zambezi, is N$50 for normal tickets and N$100 for VIP tickets with the doors opening at 21h00.

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About Rob

Born and educated in Zimbabwe, Africa, I grew up with in an environment much different from the one that I find I now live in. In some ways I find that the third world has a more appropriate sense of moral standards in comparison to the so called first world. When you are brought up in an environment that expects you to be totally self sufficient and prepared to make your own destiny you develop a strong sense of Entrepreneurship early on in life. You learn a “can do” attitude and become multi skilled. I have been amazed to find that living in a first world country so many people have little or no ambition in life. There is no sense of pride in achievement and everyone follows a set pattern because it is unthought-of to break societies trends. What is the purpose of going to university to become a travel agent? Why spend years educating yourself to sell yourself short at the first hurdle. True visionaries have learnt in this claustrophobic society of the first world to think outside the box. Measured success has come from individuals that learnt to apply themselves through hard work and the ability to see an opportunity and apply themselves accordingly. I was educated in a country that has a record internationally as having a society that are regarded as being the most highly educated people in Africa. That is not to say that they are academically perfect, but they have a practical knowledge that sets them aside as being unique in their ability to take what they learn around them and apply it to their own circumstances to adapt and be successful in ways other societies cannot. I am proud to be a part of this community, and proud of my heritage. As an individual I have learnt over time to have an appreciation for things I never quite understood before I was subjected to the big bad world. I am most certainly not perfect, and far from where I would like to be at in my life, but it is a journey along many roads, and with many adventures and tribulations along the way. Those of you that join me on this blog will find the thoughts, feelings and ideas that this journey generates for me. So I welcome you, and if you like what you read, give me a shout, I would be glad to hear your thoughts and opinions.

Posted on May 5, 2012, in Live Music Gig, News and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. Leave a Comment.

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