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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
CHRISTIAN a capella group Family Voices successfully held a fundraising dinner over the weekend ahead of their album launch slated for August 30 at the Family of God auditorium.Family Voices, which is hoping to raise about $15,000, received over $2,000 in pledges at the dinner which was held at the Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel on Friday. It was attended by Bulawayo deputy mayor Gift Banda, musicians, Calvin Gudu of the Tombofara fame, Eric Moyo and Victor Kunonga.

Nongqabutho Abu-Basuthu of Hillside Dams pledged $500 towards the album launch saying he would also host the South African celebrities and guests coming for the launch. Actors from South Africa’s leading soapies, Generations and Muvhango are expected to attend the album launch.

A local businessman only identified as Sithole donated $1,000 towards the launch while Ambassador Zenzo Nsimbi pledged $250. BES chief executive officer Obert Sibanda pledged $200.

Entertainment at the dinner was provided by Family Voices who sang renditions of Lovemore Majaivana’s hit track, Kuleli Lizwe, Calvin Gudu’s Ncam Ncam and the late Leonard Dembo’s Chitekete. The group raised more funds from guests who paid $40 for them to repeat songs with Chitekete being the most requested song of the night.

Bulawayo socialite, Babongile Sikhonjwa was the director of ceremonies at the event and had the crowd in stitches. He tried his hand at singing when he led Family Voices in singing Simbimbino by Bhundu Boys that he remixed into isiNdebele, drawing laughter and cheers from the crowd.

As part of the group’s pledges, Sikhonjwa said he would be the MC at the launch for free and would market the album launch at every event where he MCs.

Family Voices spokesperson Saimon “Mambazo” Phiri said all the funds raised from the dinner would go towards the costs of holding the concert on August 30.

“The total cost of the concert is $15,000 including expenses for the South African celebrities that will grace the music concert. The money we raise from here till the 30th is going towards that.

“Family Voices comes from the city and it is befitting that the Bulawayo community promotes its own,” he said.

Family Voices, which has been singing for years, has no album to its name. The group has become versatile and added musical instruments by using their voices to make drum beats and guitar melodies, something that is a first in Zimbabwe and breathtaking to watch.

In May this year, the eight-member group comprising of Tinashe Chitsaka, Luke Kamanga, Ronald Sithole, Bobby James, Bazel Mafu, Michael Sibanda, Melusi Sibanda and Brighton Ncube was invited to South Africa to join the Muvhango family in celebrating its 2,000 episode mark on SA screens with a role to sing at Thandaza and Ranthumeng’s wedding.