Promoter opens the door to Mutare artists

Thembie Samupindi has vowed to break the mould in chauvinistic showbiz circles by becoming the first female arts promoter to revive neglected talent in the eastern region


Samupindi bemoaned the fact that male promoters in the city were ignoring local artists and prioritising sungura and dendera genres at the expense of others.
“We need to break the mould to be honest. It would be nice to have more women involved in the industry. We need to be tough, and I need to be tough as well. So I am prepared to take the challenge,” she said.
This comes at a time when prominent promoters, such as Esau Mupfumi, Obey ‘Big Fish’ Hove and Brian Samaita, mainly promote artists from outside the city. The shows are generally lined up for the weekend.
Samupindi said her promising entertainment powerhouse, Warehouse Project Events, was set up to bridge the gap.
“I came up with the idea to promote Mutare artists because revellers here have no variety of places to go. Secondly, the shows mainly feature established musicians from outside the city. Mutare artists have become backbenchers in their own backyard. They don’t get the exposure they so much desire on such platforms,” she said.
The passionate promoter said her research highlighted that some artists had to relocate to Harare to get recognition and bookings. Others had been frustrated by the challenges and given up on their dreams.
“Our venue targets a particular niche that has been neglected entertainment-wise. There are limited venues for other genres such as afro-jazz, classical music, poetry, hip hop and others. So, here we are opening doors to all genres. Most importantly, patrons want to go to a venue when you can take your kids or parents,” she said.
Samupindi studied events management in the United Kingdom, where she lived for the past few years. She worked for a UK corporate events company and gained experience in management and promotion.
She has since launched an Open Mic Session at the Green Coucal, having borrowed the concept from the Book Café. The venue has featured a wide range of promising Mutare artists, from poets and saxophonists to afro-jazz crooners and hip-hoppers.
“I am here to make a name for myself. I named my company Warehouse Project Events for a reason. We are manufacturing showbiz in our warehouse and people who come benefit from what we manufacture,” she said.
Many artists told The Zimbabwean that they were overwhelmed by the success of the platform they had been given by Warehouse Projects.
“This means we don’t have to go to Harare to find work or to get recognition. I am one of the artists that have already performed at some of the shows and it was amazing,” said Memo Madekurwa, an up-and-coming, afro-jazz artist.
Hip hop artist Kudakwashe Machingura, better known as Kritic Igwee, said Warehouse Projects had come at the right time for aspiring artists in the city.

Gwekwerere Joins Buffaloes

Mutare — BUFFALOES coach Luke Masomere yesterday made public his 29-member squad that includes former Dynamos and CAPS United striker Evans Gwekwerere.Masomere's final squad was announced ahead of the PSL deadline for clubs to submit provisional lists of their players by tomorrow.
The deadline for transfers, however, remains March 26. PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele said he expects clubs to submit their squads by today, but they can still make adjustments.
Masomere believes he has assembled a competitive outfit that also includes forgotten striker, Gwekwerere, who will be on a mission to revive his fading career.
"We will definitely compete well with other teams in the league. I think we have managed to assemble a squad that can compete with even the best in this league.
"Remember we are building a new squad and we naturally need everyone's support, especially here in Mutare. I was impressed by the support in the friendly match against Dynamos and the fans were with us all the way. That was really impressive and I hope the spirit will continue even when we face the perceived smaller opposition.
"I also want to urge the team executive to support the team even when the chips are down. We need to learn from big teams like Manchester United who are going through a rough patch.
There were no surprises on the former Shabanie Mine coach's list of goalkeepers as injured Chengetai Tandadzai is yet to recover and he has brought in former Gunners player Prosper Chigumba.
Judging by the team's performance in recent friendly matches, Themba Ndlovu's absence will certainly be felt in defence as the replacements seem not to be fitting well into the system.
Wonder Sithole's exit was duly solved by the arrival of Warriors' fringe player Frankson Bushiri, Mike Nyamukasa and Tafadzwa Mombeshora while the presence of talented Roy Mwenga, Philip Thembani and lanky Prosper Matizanadzo provides quality for that department.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers
Hopeful Bere, Blessing Mandimutsira and Prosper Chigumba.
Defenders
Liberty Chakoroma; Simon Choenda; Phillip Chandisaita; Shepherd Nkata; Moses Gutu; Kelvin Thembani; Bruce Puso:
Midfielders
Tafadzwa Mombeshora; Frankson Bushiri; Mike Nyamukasa; Philip Thembani; Eria Phiri; Roy Mwenga; Prosper Matizanadzo; Marshal Machazana
Strikers
Jacob Muzokomba; Malvin Senyeka; Lloyd Katongomara; Takunda Jeffrey; Evans Gwekwerere:
Under-20s
Leeroy Chawira; Derby Duri; Kudzai Myambo; Tafadzwa Mkahlera; Nigel Gezani: