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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
ZIMBABWE’S cultural ambassadors Black Umfolosi will next week Friday host a show at the National Art Gallery in Bulawayo to raise funds to bankroll their Canadian tour slated for November and December this year.Black Umfolosi spokesperson Thomeki Dube said the 32-year-old group, which performed in Canada last year, was expected to perform there again this year.

He said the group did not want to rely on well-wishers for their Canadian tour hence their decision to perform to raise funds.

“We will be holding the show to raise funds for uniforms, visas and our travel expenses. We want to use our talents to raise funds for ourselves and not rely on handouts,” said Dube.

If all goes according to plan, the group will leave for Canada at the end of October. The two month tour will see the six-member group performing in Toronto, Kensington, Edmonton and Winnipeg, among other cities and towns.

Dube added that their Canadian tour would be split into two themes with the first being about the environment and the second focused on celebrating the Christmas holiday.

“The first part of our tour in November will be called Umhlaba where we will be dealing with issues to do with the environment. We will also raise awareness about conserving the environment through Imbube.

“In December we will get into the Christmas mood and start singing about Christmas in our language,” he said.

Dube said the main reason they would sing about Christmas in Shona and Ndebele was because they wanted to share the experiences of how Zimbabweans spend Christmas.

“Each time we tour, people out there want to know what Christmas means to us back home and how we celebrate it. We will sing Christmas carols such as Jingle Bells in Ndebele so that we can teach them a familiar song but in an African language,” he said.

Dube urged people to attend their fundraising show at the gallery saying it would be a sneak preview of their performances in Canada.

Afro fusion artiste Thandy Dlana, afro jazz artiste Ex-Mile and acoustic guitarist Zet Moyo are set to perform at the event.

Dlana said she felt honoured to perform with Black Umfolosi as they were experienced – having travelled the world promoting Zimbabwean music and culture.

“It’s an honour to open for Black Umfolosi and it’s a plus for my career.  As the opening acts we will do our best to support Black Umfolosi”.

Ex-Mile said he was looking forward to the event as it would be his first time to share the stage with the mature group.