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Mthabisi Tshuma, Leisure Reporter
At some point or the other, most of us whose passions lie in the creative world have pondered upon the age-old question, would you rather be a famous footballer or famous artiste?

For some, pondering such is not part of their DNA, but a case of jumping on board whatever tickles their fancy more than where their actual talent lies.

Such a dilemma can be ascribed to yesteryear imbube outfit Amavevane Accapella whose journey started off as a soccer team, but morphed into something much more for its former players turned artistes.

The doomed football club was to become a musical outfit, a scenario not envisaged by its founders at the time.

Formed in 1996, the group previously known as White Umfolosi has managed to raise the Zimbabwean flag high over the African skies.

Their travels from performing for revered people that include the late former president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe to showcasing their talents to Queen Elizabeth, is just but a glimpse of the journey that Amavevane Accapella group from the thickets of Ngwana Village has travelled.

The group comprises Future Ndex Moyo (founder), Silinganiso Ndlovu, Lucky Moyo, Ezekiel Ncube, Tshela Sam Nkomo, Mloyiswa Mpofu, Musawenkosi Maseko, Mbonisi Mhlanga, Emmanuel Ndlovu and Collen Makhosini.

It is known for its melodious voices laced into the imbube/isicathamiya genre. Their dances encompass styles such as gumboot, umchongoyo, amabhiza and isitshikitsha.

Saturday Leisure caught up with the group’s marketing and communication officer Calvin Khululani Moyo who went down memory lane and shared the trials and tribulations the group has encountered.

“Amavevane Acapella is a 10-member all-male ensemble that was rebranded from the White Umfolosi Performing Arts. We came together in 1996 when all of our members were actually in the Ngwana Primary School soccer team.

We were beaten 6-0 by a nearby school and our then coach, Mr Luscious Ncube sat us down and asked us if we thought we were in the right field?

“We sat there quietly and embarrassed and he told us he’d try to take us along a different path. He then put us on a new path which turned out to be singing imbube/isicathamiya and mentored us through primary and secondary schooling,” said Moyo.

Moyo said as they were nurtured, they started embarking on tours where they participated in competitions and ceremonies. The group had its first international tour to the United Kingdom in 1999. They have also toured countries like Israel and Botswana.

“Our highlights are performances for the former President Robert Mugabe at his 21st movement celebration in February 1997 at Hlokweni school, a few kilometres outside Bulawayo.

“In May 1999, we got an opportunity of a lifetime which was to be a game changer for our career as we performed for the Queen of England. The event was in London,” said Moyo

After secondary school, Moyo said they had to relocate to the City of Kings and Queens in search of greener pastures.

“We relocated to Bulawayo in 2001 at the beginning of the year after receiving our O-level results. Going to Bulawayo was a big challenge but with the help of Mr Kandemwa Mandaza, a father to Bornwell, one of our members still in Zimbabwe, we found the going pleasant as the God-sent man provided a full house for the whole group at Entumbane.

“While in Bulawayo we managed to perform alongside groups such as Black Umfolosi, Iyasa, Imbizo, Umkhathi Theatre, Indosakusa (Former Impumelelo Shining Stars) and more,” he said.

Moyo said life’s turmoil and economical demands saw them relocate to South Africa where they sought employment and continued to perform in their spare time.

“Settling in South Africa was a bit challenging given that we had to be housed by fellow relatives who also struggled to make ends meet. But, we did and have maintained our traditional dances to this date.

“In 2019, we thought it was time to evolve and hence no better evolution was better than that of a Butterfly. To this day, we still sing and perform at gatherings, social celebrations and in mourning. Our performances cater for all reasons to gather,” said Moyo.

Recently, Amavevane Accapella released an album titled Endleleni Enzima, a follow up to their debut Celani Lizokuphiwa.

“Our work is inspired by our love of music and also knowing that music unites the world and has the power to heal. On the album, we included our hit single KuBuKalanga which has received praises far and beyond oceans. It currently stands as the Kalanga anthem on social media,” said Moyo.

Moyo said the future of the industry looks bright but that can only be achieved when artistes continue to preserve the African culture and traditions through active arts, music and dance.

“We must refrain from imitating other artistes and try by all means to sound original. We must try to be composers and not copy the style from already successful artistes,” said Moyo adding that another highlight of their career was meeting Dr Joseph B Shabalala who is the late Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder. – @mthabisi_mthire.