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Simbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Reporter
ZORA music maestro Leonard Zhakata has urged people in Bulawayo to support artistes in the city.
He said Bulawayo had lost a lot of talent to other cities as the artistes lack home recognition and support.Zhakata’s statement comes after a number of the city’s musicians have relocated to Harare and South Africa to develop their music careers as they are appreciated more there.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Mic Challenge talent show held at United Family of God Church (UFIC) Bulawayo branch at the weekend, Zhakata said Bulawayo artistes were not getting enough support from their own people.

“Bulawayo has lost a lot of talent due to relocation of musicians from the city to other parts of the country particularly Harare. This has been due to the lack of support from their own people.

“The amount of talent that I have seen in Bulawayo is living proof that musicians here are able to break the international grounds and make competitive productions so people need to support them,” he said.

Zhakata said Bulawayo was once the hub of talent in the country with all the finest artistes coming from the city, but that was no longer the case.

“We used to feel challenged by Bulawayo artistes as they made a mark in the country’s music industry,” he said.

Zhakata said artistes who had since left Bulawayo included Dudu Manhenga, Otis Ngwabi, Lovemore Majaivana, Victor Kunonga, and Ndolwane Supersounds.

According to Zhakata, the musicians were not given the opportunity to shine in their city and resorted to moving to other cities and countries.

Other artistes who also relocated from Bulawayo include Africa Revenge, the late Dumie Ngulube and Amagents, Edith weUtonga Katiji, Fanyane Dube and Busi Ncube.