The 2025 edition of the Chibuku Road to Fame talent search made its latest stop in Matabeleland North over the weekend, where Afro-fusion outfit Simuniziva emerged as the regional champions.
The group’s energetic performance, blending traditional rhythms with contemporary sounds, captivated both the panel of judges and an enthusiastic crowd. Their victory earned them the top prize of US\$2,500 and, more importantly, a ticket to the national finals set for later this year.
Close behind were Abelifa the Inheritors, a polished traditional jazz ensemble praised for their stage presence and musical maturity. They secured the second prize of US\$1,500. Zambezi Fusion, celebrated for their acoustic-driven fusion style, claimed third place and walked away with US\$1,000.
The showcase was part of the 25th anniversary edition of Chibuku Road to Fame, Zimbabwe’s largest and longest-running grassroots music competition. Launched in 2001, the initiative is spearheaded by Delta Beverages in partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe. Over the past two and a half decades, the platform has nurtured countless artists who have gone on to shape the country’s music scene.
To mark the silver jubilee, organisers introduced a revamped competition structure, consolidating the traditional ten provincial showcases into six larger regional finals. Each regional final crowns three winners who qualify for the National Grand Finale. At the ultimate showdown, ten of Zimbabwe’s most promising acts will compete for the grand prize of US\$15,000 and a recording contract.
Running under the theme “25 Years of Discovering Talent,” this year’s anniversary edition is not only a celebration of the platform’s enduring legacy but also a forward-looking effort to spotlight a new generation of musical innovators from across the nation.
With Simuniziva now joining previous regional winners from Mashonaland West and Midlands, anticipation is mounting for a fiercely competitive national contest. Music fans and industry players alike will be watching closely to see which rising star will ultimately be crowned the face of Zimbabwe’s next musical era.
For Simuniziva, however, the Matabeleland North triumph is already a significant milestone. It is proof that grassroots talent, when given the right stage, can relate on a national scale.
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