POPULAR female musicians Lady Squanda and Sandra Ndebele will this weekend headline the annual Chibuku Road to Fame national finals set for the Glamis Arena in Harare.
It is the first time they are performing at the competition.
Sungura ace Alick Macheso, high riding Jah Prayzah, Sulumani Chimbetu and Shinsoman will also grace the event.
Chibuku Road to Fame is one of the biggest talent shows which nurture talent from the grassroots.
It is through Chibuku Road to Fame that aspiring musicians make a breakthrough into the mainstream industry.
The show is a collaborative effort between Delta Beverages and National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ).
Delta marketing manager, Patricia Murambinda said the show aimed to foster development of the arts.
“The Chibuku Road to Fame is the single largest talent identification programme in Zimbabwe in terms of scale and depth,” she said.
“Our long standing partnership with the NACZ has shown the power of public- private partnerships in bringing about community development.”
Established in Harare in 2001, the musical talent show has now been expanded into three neighbouring countries where the Chibuku brand is also available.
The countries include Botswana, Malawi and Zambia which is expected to launch the programme next year.
Last year’s winners, Bindura-based ‘The Way Band’ will also be making an appearance at this year’s edition.
Creativity, coordination and originality are some of the things that are considered by the adjudicators.
The national finals come after intense provincial competitions.
Groups competing include Facebook Brothers (Bulawayo), Njenja Express (Harare), Talent Falls Band (Manicaland), Black Sight (Mashonaland Central), Afro Bongo (Matabeleland North) and Attack Jazz Band (Mashonaland West) among others.
Chibuku Road to Fame focuses on different music genres such as Afro-fusion, Jazz, Reggae, Rhumba and Sungura among others.
Past winners of the competition include sungura artiste Romeo Gasa (2007), Club Shanga (2010), Munandi Express (2011), Terry and the Bliss (2012) and The Way Band (2013).