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Marasha Moto Express Band

Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange
A Sungura band in Hwange, Marasha Moto Express Band, is taking the mining town and neighbouring areas like Lukosi, Dete and Kamativi by storm and is clearly destined for prominence in the nation’s music industry in the near future.

In an interview with Chronicle Showbiz in the mining town last Saturday, band leader and lead vocalist Rangarirai Pedzisai (35), a nimble footed dancer on stage, said he was considering quitting his full time job of being an electrician with Hwange Colliery Company as music was now in his blood.

“I’m enjoying every moment of being a musician from the time we formed this group in early 2015 as there is clear testimony that if we continue working at this rate and also get some financial backing we will blossom into a Sungura music powerhouse in the country.

“I grew up as someone who loved playing guitars and also listening to music with my inspiration being the late musical great Leonard Dembo. I started serious links with music around 2013 with a local music outfit Flash Wave Indangwena Band as their manager before forming this “baby”, which is fast proving popular among music lovers in this area.” said the soft speaking Pedzisai.

The group released a seven track album titled Ndizvo Zvinhu Zvacho around mid-last year with hit songs like Mudiwa Wangu, Peshi and Godo without any doubt proving popular with listeners in the coal mining town.

“The first album we released was well received and I can also highlight that we have already worked on two other albums, which are now ready and we hope we can get financial assistance from stakeholders around to record these in renowned recording facilities in bigger towns like Bulawayo and Harare as the first one was done here,” said Pedzisai.

Other songs on the debut album are Mwari Wangu, Chakupa Chironda, Kugocha and a Tonga song Jatamoyo.

According to Pedzisai, the band also had brief working stints with Diamond Studio in Harare and has received some airplay on National FM as their popularity continues to grow.

Other members of the band are Ngezye Ncube (lead guitarist), Bopani Muzamba (rhythm guitarist), Lionatho Chibangulula (bass guitarist), Alberto Sithole (bass guitarist), and Chamu Muyambo the drummer.

Hwange Urban Arts Association chairman Marlvern Daka also heaped praises on Marasha Moto Express Band.

“The group, which is affiliated to our association, is very talented and I can confidently say that it won’t be a surprise if they become big time musicians one day because they have lots of fans here in Hwange and their popularity is growing. I hope they will be able to get sponsors in the near future so that they also put this province on the map.” said Daka.

To prove their mettle, the band was invited to provide entertainment at Mota Engil, Hwange Colliery Company’s biggest mining contractor’s end of year of party celebrations in 2015 and also at this year’s edition of the Kamandama Memorial Fundraising golf tournament held on June 5.

This is in addition to well attended shows in the resort town of Victoria Falls at Ko Mpofu Sports Bar and Brown Sugar Tavern.