Tanyaradzwa Marabada
ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
MULTI-AWARDWINNING gospel music songbird Janet Manyowa has been added to the riveting line-up of artists set to perform at the Stanbic Jacaranda Music Festival that will run at Old Hararians in Harare from October 7 to 9.
Manyowa, who has won an incredible 28 awards since she ventured in music in 2015, will share the stage with top artists who include Jah Prayzah,Victor Kunonga, Enzo Ishall, Feli Nandi, Fusion 5 Mangwiro, King Her, The Travellers Band, Ryan Synth and Solution GC.
The event, sponsored by Stanbic Bank, will also feature leading South African musicians such as Zonke and Bongo Maffin. Manyowa is delighted to be part of Zimbabwe’s leading arts event. “Spring is here and the Jacarandas are out and it is going to be an exciting time at the Stanbic Jacaranda Music Festival.
‘‘I will be singing on October 9… there will be great music and great people,” said Manyowa. Stanbic Jacaranda Music Festival director Walter Wanyanya said more artists would be announced in due course. “We have put together a line-up that will appeal to all music lovers and we have spread the event over three days. ‘‘Our theme this year is ‘Celebrate life’ so this year’s edition is simply a celebration,” said Wanyanya.
The Stanbic Jacaranda Music Festival bounced back last year after a Covid-19-inspired year-long break. Held at The Venue in Avondale, the 2021 edition of the festival turned out to be a barn burner of a fiesta. At the event Jah Prayzah, Mokoomba, Bryan K, Mbeu, Hope Masike and The Travellers Band delivered performances worth the wait.
The exciting delivery by the artistes was matched by the fans who sang along to most of the song. It was clear both the artistes and fans were happy to be part of an inperson event after more than a year of virtual concerts.
Last year, the late South African jazz star Hugh Masekela’s long-time manager and friend, Josh Georgiou, praised the Jacaranda Music Festival for demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of challenges posed by the covid-19 pandemic.
“Putting together a musical festival is hard going in regular times but during a pandemic it is a huge achievement. ‘‘It takes commitment, dedication and nerves of steel. ‘‘So for Walter to pull this off, with so many obstacles in front of him, is nothing short of a miracle,” Georgiou told the Daily News.