Nkabazwe radio promotes MSU practical radio lessons

 GWERU community radio, Nkabazwe and the Midlands State University (MSU)  are planning to partner in a development set to benefit students at the institution of higher learning in practical radio lessons.

MSU students are allowed to hold lectures at the community radio station as well as touring Nkabazwe studio where they are shown the studio’s operations. The newly-established relationship is meant to give MSU students lessons and prepare them for the industry. Anytime soon, the will be formally partnering with the institution so that students regularly visit the studios and learn more practically than dealing with theoretical aspects only as students will be given recorders and will be educated more to familiarise them with the radio editing software. The aim of this is not only to prepare them for the industry but to also equip them in case the institution gets funds to set its own campus radio. 

This is a good move by MSU and it is of great benefit to students studying media. Maybe the complains that come from the people in the industry about students being full of theory and failing to do anything practical might reduce as students will get practical skills right from part 1. Personally as a Journalism and Media Studies student, l know how difficult it is for one to be told all those technical terms without actually seing the objects being talked about. I remember when l was in part 1 and we were learning about different types of micro- phones, it did not make any sense to me how different they were to each other until the day our own studio at National University of Science and Technology was ready for use. That is were l got to understand better the concepts l was being taught in class.

Universities should maintain the standard of not feeding students with theory but giving them a chance to do actual things that are being done in the field so that by the time students go for attachment and be in the real industry, it will be easy for them to cope.   

Eighteen year-old crowned Miss NUST 2014

1st and 2nd Pricesses and Miss NUST with their escorts.

Sibonginkosi Ncube has been crowned Miss National University of Science and Technology (Nust) 2014 beating 10 other contestants.

Bathabile Dlamini, a journalism and media studies student, was first princess and Portia Nyathi, doing medicine, was the second princess.

When l attended the event, l did not expect it to be as colorful and interesting as it was. The beauty pageant event was blessed with the presence of a Harare-based dancehall DJs Judgment Yard. The students could not hold themselves when Etherton B made entrance to the stage, most students that had gathered at the venue invaded the stage as he chanted on the mic, causing a 30-minute stoppage to proceedings .

Despite the 30minutes stoppage, the event continued and students had the time of their lives enjoying the music with most students dancing like they have never danced before. Alcohol was available for students to enjoy themselves even more.


It seems like the event was open for everyone because l saw many students from Bulawayo Polytech and some people l know to be non-students at all. My conclusion to this was Bulawayo as a city lacks such entertainment that is why people did not hesitate to come in large number to Miss NUST. I think more of such events should be made available for youths in City because it is in the nature of the youth to like having fun.

Such events are good refreshment to students who spend most of their time busy with school work. I hope Miss NUST will not be the only event to be held on campus because "all work with no play makes Jake a dull boy" so students do need the entertainment.

Mapfumo bounces back to the music industry

LEONARD Mapfumo is back in the music industry with a new album titled The Road to Israel after being off the radar for some time now.



The 10- track album which will reflect on people’s day-to-day lives including love, religion and my road to success, will be released on April 1. The musician who has been lately committed to his recording label Heshi Mfeshi which needed him more to write, record and groom new artistes has decided to give some time to his own music again.

Tracks to look forward on the album include Chitititi which features Mangen’a and Trey XL, and Mwana waMambo, featuring Cindy Munyavi and Mudiwa Mtandwa

It is a good thing that Mapfumo played a role in raising new talents such as Yoz, Yaka, Vannessa and Shinso. He is playing a critical role in the industry as the new talent are the future of the music industry.

If only we can see more musicians like Sandra Ndebele coming back then our music industry will not die as it seems to be going down the drain right now.

I remember how much l used to know more about Zimbabwean musicians than outside ones but right now, ask me about western musicians and l will tell you all about it but when it comes to Zimbabwean l seem to be less interested everyday that passes by. I know l'm not the only citizen who feels this way but what should we do when we see less of our local music.

Local musicians should also try to meet up with standard of other countries. We are now living in a global world and people now have easy access to global music so for local musicians to keep their local supporters entertained, they should also try to meet up with the standard in terms of quality music, quality videos that will interest the public.

Big Brother lovebirds break-up

Lovebirds, Pokello and Elikem

For sometime now l have been thinking that Big Brother lovebirds Pokello and Elikem actual have a bright future together outside the Big Brother Africa House but hey it seems like the real world is nothing like the Big Brother House.

The couple have split and the “fairytale” love affair which had won the couple considerable admiration in both Ghana and Zimbabwe has collapsed. Elikem is now dating a 28-year-old fashion designer, Theresa Boateng, from Germany. The fashion designer is said to be pregnant for Elikem.

To me Pokello and Elikem's break up shows that some of the things that happen in the BB House remain in the house. Maybe people get involved in relationships in that reality show because of the circumstances in the house then when they go back to the real world, they realize that they are not compatible to each other and the relationship does not last long. 

 

l guess millions of people out there are waiting patiently for Big Brother Africa 2014. Reality shows are great entertainment to people. Right now it is part of my daily routine that when l get home the first thing l do is to turn on the television and tune to Big Brother Mzansi and see what is the housemates are doing. I really think, my country Zimbabwe should try and introduce reality shows like Big Brother so that people won't have to wait for BB Africa for reality shows entertainment. It is a good thing that South Africa is providing such entertainment, other African countries have to copy. People need entertain in their lives because it relieves people stress and helps them in the re-creation of their identities. Those at the entertainment industry should ensure that they keep the spirit going and provide more forms of entertainment. 

Makuwe nominated for the Adam NZ Play awards

Zimbabwean based playwright, Stanley Makuwe has been shortlisted for the 2014 Adam New Zealand (NZ) Play Award for his new play, "Footprints on Ika’s Heart".

 Makuwe stands a chance among other playwrights, to be the winner who will walk away with $5 000. This is a big motivation for the writer to work even harder and dedicate mopre time to writing. It is surprising that Makuwe got the chance to stand with other professional who live and breath theatre writing because for his writing is a part time job.

The play is titled Footprints on Ika’s heart. In brief it’s about two young lovers escaping war from Africa to the Western world with the hope of living and loving freely, only to find themselves facing another war (challenges) of survival in foreign lands. His writing tries to mix together African and Western styles of story-telling which makes his writing unique and produces a good story which interest people.

 Makuwe's success is an evidence of the fact that it is possible for people to achieve their goals in life nomatter where they come from as he is the only African shortlisted for this award. Once a person achieves something, it must not end there but he or she must want to go a step further and do much better.

The Adam NZ which is a play award is presented annually by New Zealand’s Playmarket is supported by Adams Foundation and the Play Press and now in its 6th year.

This should come as an inspiration to other Zimbabwean play writer to aim higher and not limit them selves for only the sky is the limit for success. If Makuwe can do it, it means any other writer out there can also make it even better than him.

It runs in the blood- Simon Chimbetu's daughter to launch an album

Sulumani and Saiwe Chimbetu singing together.

It seems like the love of music runs in the blood for the Chimbetu family, as Saiwe Chimbetu, carries her late father Simon Chimbetu's singing legacy. Saiwe will be launching  her second seven-track gospel album, Simba Rekutenda , on Friday 21 March at Kingston House in Harare.

Admission to the event is free. Live shows are expected to follow the launch of this album

Unlike the other Chimbetu members, Saiwe is the only one who sings gospel music. Not only does she follow the footsteps of her brothers Sulumani and Tryson Chimbetu in their carry the legacy of their father,  she is also the first female in the family to record.

Simba Rekutenda comes after the success of her debut six-tracks Shoko RaJehova.
The album which is a fusion of Dendera and rhumba beats. If composed of tracks, Anopindura, Handisarire, Ndodaidza, Sesemere, Kushandura, Anondidana and Munoera.

This should come as a challenge and inspiration to other musicians in Zimbabwe with the love of music in their blood. It is the role of these musicians to keep alive the Zimbabwean music industry which is at the verge of falling apart. Instead of musicians leaving the country to search for greener pastures, they should at least try to maintain and boast our own industry in Zimbabwe. If only musicians can find new forms of entertaining the public,instead of letting the industry die. 

The government should also take part in sponsoring the young upcoming talents and let them shine in the country before they decide to look for that sponsorship and financial support outside the country

KEEP THE ZIMBABWEAN MUSIC BURNING BY SUPPORTING NEW TALENTS.

NUST lecturers on strike, students are affected.

When it comes to the issues of strike, history will always repeat its self. Time and again lecturers will always go on strike if their salaries are not paid but what of the effects of these strikes on students? Truth be told, when lecturers go on strike, the victims are not the administrators of the university but the students. I have no problem with the lecturers going on strike because it is their right to get paid for their services but what of the the university students who have paid their fees so as to learn? Should they also demonstrate around campus for them to learn? In the end of the semester, the same students who are being neglected by the lecturers are the ones who sit for exams. No exam considers strikes that took place during the semester, neither does it consider the lectures lost by students due to these strikes. One way or the other all students will write the exams and those exams determine degree classes students get.

Like any other year, nust lectures are currently on strike. They are not teaching parallel and masters students as they have not received their payments for these classes. Some parallel students actual thought of taking action against this and forcefully attended lectures with the convectional classes. For how long are university students going to be treated like this? The blame does not go to the lecturers but the responsible authorities who are supposed to ensure that lecturers get their payment. It is so unfair to students because the university is very strict when it comes to the issues of paying fees. University students struggle to make ends meet, actually most parallel students work so as to raise money for fees only to come to campus and be told that  there are not lectures.

The authorities responsible should take serious action on this issue because for years and years, issues of strike in universities have been on going. I know the administrators are not affected by this issue but it a great concern to the students. Students pay fees, in the same way they are always willing to make students defer for not paying fees, they should also be as much willing to pay the lecturer for those students who pay to learn.