Mokoomba: a Tonga band representing Africa
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- Created: Thursday, 15 October 2009 12:23
The Mokoomba youngsters from VicFalls have been voted to represent Africa at the Global Campaign Against Poverty in the Netherlands / Europe!
After winning the interregional Festival and winning the opportunity to tour around Europe, then seeing their dreams falling apart by the cancellation of the tour due to Visa issues, they finally get what they deserve.
Mokoomba battled for the top spot with East and Southern African groups, 16 of them Zimbabwean, including Andy Brown and The Storm, Nina Ogot, Just a Band, Victor Kunonga, Xtra Large and Lyadia, among many others.
The Victoria Falls-based band sings mainly in Tonga, a language foreign to even the majority of Zimbabweans, but they have still managed to break the barriers and prove their talent on the biggest of platforms the world over.
After being selected by a 40-member panel, which included superstar Oliver Mtukudzi, among many other notable musicians from across Africa, Mokoomba, Andy Brown and The Storm and Senegalese group Lyadia were played on Dutch radio 3FM.
The Dutch listeners were then asked to vote for the group they wanted to take part in the campaign and Mokoomba was the chosen winner.
While in the Netherlands, Mokoomba will record a song with well-known house producer Gregor Salto which will become the theme song for the EEN/GCAP worldwide to raise awareness against poverty.
They will also shoot a video for the same project and it will be launched on October 17 during World Poverty Day.
Mathias Bangure, the director of Music Crossroads Zimbabwe, who will be traveling with the band to the Netherlands, said he was pleasantly surprised by the result.
"Honestly, I didn't expect this. It is too good to believe because the guys were up against some of the best groups in Africa. They are a new band and all the members are young but very talented."
"I hope to be around when these youngsters hit the big time. They are destined for greater things ...," said Bangure.
Dave Ojay, who was the project manager for Africa Unsigned, which identified groups that would compete for the top honors, said he was thrilled that he had been part of "something worthwhile".
"When we came to Zimbabwe scouting for talent we were very impartial. Many groups applied, we selected them, took their music to the panel of judges which then led to this. After that, my job was done, it was then up to the Dutch listeners to pick the group of their choice," said Ojay.
Mokoomba are a Music Crossroads product that has distinguished itself locally and abroad ever since they were crowned champions of the music competition about a year ago.
Other famous names that have emerged from Music Crossroads include Bongo Love, who are due to return from a tour of Europe, Gwarimba, Progress Chipfumo, First Farai and Amara Brown, among many others.
After the Netherlands, Mokoomba will tour the rest of Europe from October, the 21st to November, the 17th where they are expected to leave an indelible mark on the world entertainment stage.
The Victoria Falls-based band sings mainly in Tonga, a language foreign to even the majority of Zimbabweans, but they have still managed to break the barriers and prove their talent on the biggest of platforms the world over.
All information taken from Mtandazo Dube article on The Sunday Mail website
see also: http://www.music-crossroads.net/