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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
“WE want more shows like this,” are the words that were on fans’ lips after Zimbabwe’s cultural ambassadors Black Umfolosi’s fundraising show at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo garden.The talented, world renowned six-member imbube crooners are raising funds to tour Canada at the end of the year.

Over 150 people attended the full-house show braving the chilly weather on Friday night.

A majority were seeing the well travelled group for the first time.

The fans were a mixture of generations as young and old all gathered to watch the group whose roots trace back to Filabusi.

Sista Asanda Dube, the daughter of Thomeki Dube one of the founder members of the group, debuted with a well received performance belying her tender age and sending the crowd into delirium.

After the show, fans said Black Umfolosi should perform in the city more often to satisfy the hunger for expertly choreographed cultural shows.

The elder Dube said the fans request for more shows was a wakeup call for the group.

“I was shocked when I saw the turnout. It’s an eye opener for us as Black Umfolosi and we shall be doing more shows in the city for our fans.

“This turn out shows that there is a hunger for music in the city and we are not adequately filling that gap,” he said.

Dube said the Canada tour would cost about $12,000 adding the good turnout could ensure they raised the cash in time.

“We have most of the money. We just need funds for visa fees and production equipment. This show is likely to raise enough to enable us to travel. The crowd that came to support us was wonderful,” he said.

During their performance, Black Umfolosi drew from their impressive repertoire of gospel, traditional and folksongs with traditional dances such as, isitshikitsha and ingquzu to keep the fans spellbound.

Dube went on stage when the group was singing the traditional folksong Egwelutshena Kulama Jaha Amahle.

He showed his nimble footedness when he did the ingquzu much to the excitement of the crowd.

Fans where on their feet throughout the three hours of the magical and highly interactive show. The group would ask the crowd to sing along as they taught them the lyrics of the songs.

They rounded off their show with their timeless classic Unity.

The rising star of afro-fusion diva Thandy Dlana continued to shine with an inspirational polished performance as one of the supporting acts. The duo of X-Mile and Zet Moyo also justified their inclusion with sterling performances.

Meanwhile, on the same night Umahlekisa Comedy Night’s return was held at the Small City Hall with a low turnout at the show.  The comedy night was held in conjunction with the Bulawayo City Council as the city celebrates 120 years.

The low turnout was, according to organiser, Ntando Van Moyo, due to counter attractions in bigger shows held in the city at the same time.

He said next time the comedians would employ a more aggressive marketing strategy for upcoming shows.

Although there was a low turnout the comics, headliner Simba the Comic King, Ntando Van Moyo, first lady of Bulawayo comedy Nomsa D, H.O and Elando the drunk, kept the crowd in stitches with their set.