Siyaya to tour Europe

"raising or flying the country's flag high" has become a common phrase in the showbiz industry, with many artistes using it as an indication to gratify the nation.

There are many Zimbabweans strewn across the globe, most of whom have indeed "raised the country's flag high" through various showbiz disciplines.

Notably it is those in the showbiz industry who have put the country as a destination full of magnificence and talent.

Over the years several individuals and groups have risen through the ranks and gained recognition through their talent and work, most of them have received honours for raising the Zimbabwe flag high.

At the mention of the term, personalities such as Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, groups such as Iyasa and DJs such as South Africa based Oskido come to mind.

Perhaps the best group to illustrate this type of patriotism is arts groups such as Siyaya Arts who are scheduled for a two month long tour of the United Kingdom.

The group leaves Zimbabwe for UK tonight and has been funded by stakeholders that side, as they have requested they perform the exhilarating musical - Zambezi Express.

Zambezi Express has been received well locally, internationally and has been described as a musical, but not as we know it.

"Pounding, multi-layered African beats and powerful a capella vocals, a wildly dynamic, 30-strong company which throws heart and soul into  high energy succession of jumping, jiving, acrobatic dance numbers to illuminate Zilli's amazing narrative. As Zilli battles against the dangers of the big city, and seeks to carve out a future as a football star, he becomes embroiled in a desperate ancestral fight. Its 90 minutes of edge-of-the-seat action from kick off to final whistle, which reaches a triumphant resolution with only seconds to spare," Zambeziexpress.com

Siyaya was initially supposed to tour UK last year but the tour was cancelled due to unexpected complications with their travel arrangements.

The group has extensively been rehearsing their routines over the past year since the tour was cancelled.

In an interview with Siyaya press and liaison officer, Nkululeko Nkala, 23 people would travel to UK.

"We have 23 of our group members travelling to UK. They will be away until mid September. They will participate in different festivals and events. We also have a set of newbie's who will debut their act as well. We have guys such as Peter Ruwanga, Rashid Nkomo, divine Nkomo and Nyarai Marufu who are a force worth reckoning in the group," he said.

Nkala said the group would perform at the Edinburgh and Bournemouth festivals and would also get a chance to perform at the Olympics.

Siyaya is two decades old and is firmly rooted in Makokoba, one of Bulawayo's oldest suburbs.

The group was started in 1989 as Nasa (Nostalgic Actors & Singers Alliance) but was later renamed Siyaya during their 10th year anniversary.

Described as "colourful, climactic and bursting at the seams with energy" critics have credited Siyaya for being "the Zimbabwean song, dance and drum troupe (that) puts much of the competition to shame".

While many artistes used the opportunity of touring abroad as a one way ticket to self-imposed exile in foreign lands, Siyaya has been consistent, returning home to their families and sowing back into the community from which they made their humble beginnings.

Their integrity has been rewarded by them being one of the few groups granted visas by the UK and other countries abroad to work and tour Europe.

"Siyaya has become a household name and we have a good reputation because we always come back - this is our home. Mambazo (the director) has been very instrumental in ensuring that we comply with the migration laws of the countries we visit and we respect the laws and customs of various nationalities who consume our products," said Desmond Ntini of Siyaya.