Nobuntu dispels 'death' rumors

BULAWAYO five-female member a-ccapella ensemble Nobuntu has allayed fears the group could be crumbling amid fears that the group had gone silent following the departure of their two members Claire Rati Dangarembwa currently on an oversees tour with Bongo Love and Siphiwe Dube who quit for personal reasons.

The group was founded by Dumisani Ramadu Moyo - a member of sensational imbube group Insingizi currently based in Austria via his 10th District stable and initial comprised of Duduzile Sibanda, Siphiwe Dube, Claire Ratidzo Dangarembwa, Joyline Sibanda and Heather Dube.

After successfully launching their first album - Thina - last year the group embarked on international tours in Europe mainly in Austria and Germany where they also performed at the prestigious Africa Roots Festival alongside Afro-Jazz prodigy Jays Marabini Ndlovu and Insingizi.

But after the return from Europe, the group somehow lost the glamour and reduced themselves to a shell with no major show in Bulawayo or anywhere in the country. This raised fears in the showbiz industry with some sections alleging the group is crumbling due to financial constraints.

The rumors were further crystalized by the departure of two of its members - Dangarembwa who is currently oversees with Love and Dube who has left for unspecified reasons.

But yesterday - the group posted on their Facebook group - allaying fears the departure of the two members might foreshadow the demise of the group that has so far done little on local scenes.

"We would like to introduce our cast for 2014. As some of you know that one of Nobuntu members Claire Rati Dangarembwa is currently on tour with Bongo Love in the USA. Their tour was extended due to demand and therefore she will not be performing with us until further notice," reads the post.

"We would like to notify you that Siphiwe Bridget Dube has decided to leave the group…." Joining us in the place of the above two are Zanele Manhenga and Thandeka Moyo."

The group further stated in the post, that the group - which traditionally, comprises five female members, was a brain child of 10 District Music stable which is not identified by faces of artistes but by their style of trade, a clear statement highlighting the group's attempt to address the issue of members who have quit.

"The project is open to all female singers from Zimbabwe provided there is an opening and as long they adhere to the Nobuntu philosophy," further reads the statement.

According to the 10th District website where the group is also listed:  

"Nobuntu is an a-cappella group of five talented, professional young women from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Their repertoire is a fusion of traditional Zimbabwean rooted music, Gospel, Afro-Jazz and Crossover in pure voices with minimalistic percussion, traditional instruments such as Mbira and some dance movements.

The group is a new generation of young women singers who celebrate and preserve their culture, beauty and heritage through art."