Freddy Gwala to cement their relationship with dancer Bev

After working together on a single track to feature on an upcoming album, South African musician, Freddy Gwala and local raunchy dancer Beverly Sibanda have decided to cement their relationship with an intimate professional affair, the Standard revealed.

Gwala is expected in Zimbabwe later this month for a six-month sojourn at the invitation of Sibanda.

Popularly known as Bev, Sibanda is set to engage Gwala in a talent exchange programme that would see them working together on a number of projects.

Among the projects is a video album to Bev's debut release titled Tapinda. Gwala features on one track on the album.

The South African musician is expected to grace an event to launch the album at Private Lounge later this month as the first assignment of his visit.

Gwala confirmed the trip in a telephone interview from his SA base and expressed hope their combination would yield positive results.

"I met her [Bev] in Harare a few months ago. I knew her as a dancer but I heard her singing for fun at backstage and realised she would be a good singer," Gwala said.

"She told me about her willingness to be a musician and we made a plan to work together towards her dream. We have done a song together and we will be shooting a DVD when I come to Harare. I will also mentor her on a number of issues involved in the music industry."

Bev said she was happy to get assistance from an experienced musician as she launches her music career.

"Freddy has the experience. He has toured internationally and made waves in the region. Getting lessons from such a person should prepare me for the music industry in a practical way," Bev said.

"I grew up listening to his music and I never thought he would be my teacher one day. When we met during his tours to Zimbabwe, I was happy to see one of my childhood icons. I did not think we would work together but things have been automatically rolling out since we met. This should be a sign of bigger things to come.

"Very few local musicians had the opportunity to be assisted by an international star in the prime days of their careers and I count myself lucky to be involved with Freddy. We have a lot in the pipeline and I am confident I will never be the same after this six month tutorial."

Bev is also expected to visit South Africa to have a feel of that country's music industry when Gwala returns home. Bev's visit would complete the cultural exchange programme.

Besides his six-month attachment to Bev, Gwala said he would also use the opportunity to seal his outstanding deal with local superstar Oliver Mtukudzi.

"I talked with Mtukudzi about recording a joint album some time ago and I am optimistic this would be the best time to finalise our deal," Gwala said.

"We have worked together for a long time and we want to seal our relationship with a recording. We have already done the groundwork and we are left with going into the studio together."

Mtukudzi's manager Sam Mataure could neither confirm nor deny the proposed joint album but said the two artists had a close relationship that would make anything possible.

"I am not aware of any arrangements for the joint album," Mataure said.

"These guys have been in the industry for a long time and they know each other well. They can make arrangements to work together any time. Although I have not been told about the collaboration yet, I know anything is possible because of their working relationship."