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Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
Bulawayo group – Afro Fusion African Tribe who came second in the Chibuku Road to Fame national finals, say they are happy with their achievement.

The seven-member jazz group walked away with $5 000 prize money for their effort.

Travellers Band from Midlands province landed the top prize of $7 000 and a recording contract while Knight Sounds from Mashonaland Central came third and pocketed $3 000.

Afro Tribe lead vocalist Fiola Malamba-Ncube said: “Before we left for Harare, we declared that we weren’t travelling all the way to the capital city to make up the numbers. We went there to compete and win and I’m glad all the long nights we spent rehearsing and preparing for the national final were worth it.

“Although we wanted the top prize, Travellers Band was too good, they outshined everyone. It really showed how tough the competition was,” said Malamba-Ncube.

She said when their group was called out as first runners-up, they were at a loss for words.

“We were so excited when our group was called out and we learnt that we’d won $5 000. We’re planning to use the prize money to buy equipment and record an album as we have songs we haven’t recorded.

“For now, we’ve been performing the songs during our live shows with the hope to record them at a later stage,” said Malamba-Ncube.

A celebration of their achievement will be held at Cape to Cairo on Saturday.

“People are invited to come and celebrate with us on Saturday. The performance will be a special one as we’ll be celebrating our achievement as a band,” said Malamba-Ncube.

Tafadzwa Mapasawo from the Travellers band said they were happy to have taken first position.

“Besides the prize money, we also clinched a recording contract meaning we now have a starting point that will see us take our music to greater heights,” said Mapasawo.