By Violet Chanakira
Delta Corporation, Zimbabwe’s leading beverage manufacturer and one of the country’s largest employers, is once again putting arts and culture at the center of its corporate social responsibility initiatives. Through its flagship brand, Chibuku, the company is set to host the much-anticipated Chibuku Road to Fame 2025 National Finals on Saturday, 4 October, at Gwanzura Stadium in Harare.
This year’s event is particularly special as it marks 25 years of discovering and nurturing musical talent in partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ). Since its inception, the Chibuku Road to Fame competition has become the largest grassroots music talent search in Zimbabwe, providing a platform for thousands of emerging artists to launch their careers.
The 2025 edition kicked off on 23 August with provincial finals held across the country. To date, eight provinces have crowned their winners, with Harare and Mashonaland Central expected to complete the line-up shortly. A total of ten music groups will battle it out at the national finals, each representing their province and bringing a unique sound to the stage.
This year’s finalists include Core Vibes (Midlands), All in One (Mashonaland West), Simuniziva (Matabeleland North), Dab Band (Bulawayo), Bolamba Culture Birds (Matabeleland South), Afro Pulse (Masvingo), Mnenga Band (Manicaland), and Jungle Foxes (Mashonaland East). Genres range from Afro-fusion to traditional contemporary music, reflecting Zimbabwe’s rich cultural diversity.
Winners will walk away with significant prizes, including USD15,000 and a recording contract for first place, USD10,000 for second place, and USD7,000 for third place. The event will run from 10 a.m. until late and will feature guest performances from established artists, promising an unforgettable day of entertainment for fans.
Delta Corporation, through its principal subsidiary Delta Beverages, is not only the country’s leading brewer — with popular brands such as Castle Lager, Chibuku Super, Zambezi Lager, and Carling Black Label — but also a champion of local talent. As an associate of global brewing giant AB InBev, Delta continues to invest in initiatives that celebrate Zimbabwean culture and empower communities.
The Chibuku Road to Fame National Finals remain a shining example of how business and the arts can collaborate to inspire, entertain, and create opportunities for the next generation of musicians.