Francoman upbeat ahead of Zima
Bongani Ndlovu/ Brenda Phiri
The name Francoman (real name Francis Moyo) does not ring a bell to most Zimbabweans but his music has made the grade at this year’s Zimbabwe Music Awards (Zima) as he is nominated in the Best Sungura Music category. Tonight at the Harare International Conference Centre the South Africa-based artiste will lock horns with Sulumani Chimbetu, Somandla Ndebele, Romeo Gasa and Gonora Sounds. The ceremony will be screened live on ZBCtv from 8.30pm.
Francoman has a seven-track album Phuma Kimi which has been nominated in the same category with Sulumani’s Syllabus that has won many other awards.
But, Francoman who has two albums to his name is not fazed by the fact that he is in the same category with his more illustrious fellow musicians.
“I believe my album is good enough to win an award because it has positive messages and touches on various social issues. People can learn life lessons from it and be entertained at the same time,” he said.
The artiste who will be attending the award ceremony in Harare said he submitted his album for adjudication as he believed he had what it takes to be awarded.
“I’ve been trying to make it in the music industry for the past three years and I wasn’t discouraged. I then saw an opportunity when I heard that Zimas wanted submissions,” said the father of three who is married to Sibusisiwe.
Francoman who was orphaned when he was four-years old, said most of his songs were experiences from his childhood.
Popular personalities Tich Mataz, DJ Napster, Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa and DJ Mox will be hosting the Zimbabwe Music Awards tonight with 16 guest presenters, among them socialite Makosi Musambasi, Malaika Mushandu, Gilmore Tee, Shingi Mau Mau, Mbo Mahocs, and Miss Red.
Zima public relations executive Farai Chapondera said the red carpet event will see some of the nominees being dressed by the country’s top designers. They will also be chauffeur driven to the awards venue in limousines.
“They’ll arrive at the venue in limousines courtesy of Sam’s Limo’s. They’ll walk the red carpet and pose for pictures and interviews before securing their seats,” she said.
Chapondera however highlighted that not many sponsors had come on board this year, a situation she hoped would change after tonight’s show.
“This year we didn’t have many sponsors as most of them didn’t have confidence in the awards. We’re confident however that upon seeing what we’ve put together, the situation will change in future,” she said.
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