By Fidelis Manyange

BaKalanga people are well known for being strict custodians of their culture.
If one goes to Bulilima today, they are likely to see a Great Zimbabwe-like structure which is called Luswingo, also meaning house of stones.
It is believed the fortress was built by the Kalanga forefathers during the same time Great Zimbabwe was constructed.
Every year the Kalangas gather at that place to celebrate their culture in what they call the Luswingo Kalanga Festival.
It was at that function that I had the privilege of witnessing Sotsha Moyo of Black Umfolosi performing live, among his people.
Here was a character I had seen numerous times on television in the video Stofotofo on Mutinhimira Wemimhanzi/ Ezomgido three decades ago. The man is still as energetic as ever; time has not diminished his act or his talent.
Moyo is a darling of the Kalanga people; the reception he received and the kudos he got was indeed evidence that in some instances a prophet will be celebrated by his own.
The young and the old sang along and danced to his music in unison at the cultural bonanza.
Even the Botswana-based Kalanga musician Ndingo Johwa could not contain his excitement as he joined the great Moyo on stage.
The 52-year-old musician, born in Bulilima-Mangwe District, Plumtree, also participated in the liberation struggle as a freedom fighter.
“During the time when we were at school, we had very little entertainment, so we grouped up as students and formed an acappella group which entertained students during break and lunchtime,” said Moyo recounting his early forays into music.
“We became an instant hit throughout the community and our colleague Samuel Ndlovu christened the group, Nittledown.”
The group, which was invited to sing at weddings and local functions, specialised in imbube type of traditional music characterised by tap dancing.
The name Nittledown was later changed when in 1982, Ndlovu came up with Black Umfolosi which appealed to the Kalangas.
The group went on to compose the popular tune ‘Unity’ recorded with the assistance of Bothwell Nyamhondera.
Unlike fellow Kalanga artistes like Solomon Skuza, Dingimuzi Puti, Leeberg Tjabhuda and Nduna Malaba (Ndux Malax), among others, who became popular using live instruments in their music, Moyo and his group, Black Umfolosi, have mostly remained an acappella outfit and have presented their brand to several countries, regionally and internationally.
However, like the South African Black Mambazo group, they have, here and there, used guitars and keyboards to cater for their diverse audience.
Delivering imbube, isitshikitsha and inqhuzu, Black Umfolosi, under Moyo, have produced eight albums that include Dabilani, Babakidzani, Tjabatjangu (my nation) and Lebani Lebeswa.
The musician is presently working on Mabuyani, the title of the group’s forthcoming album.
Black Umfolosi boasts many local and international awards.
They won the Best Performers Group awards in 1994 in Canada, Best Acappella Group at NAMA awards in 2006 and in 2015, they got the Best Acappella Group at ZIMA awards.
One of Zimbabwe’s oldest acappella groups formed 35 years ago, they have toured most of the world as true African ambassadors.
What is most intriguing is that the group is fronted by a patriotic former guerilla who makes sure that the content of his music tells the true Zimbabwean story.
The strength of the BaKalanga artistes is that they are proud of their culture; they maintain and pass on their culture to generations through music.
What has kept the group intact for all these years is the love of arts rather than money.
The song ‘Unity’ dominated television, radio stations and national events.
It is the song which greatly rewarded them through royalties.
The other song which was popular, especially on television, is the one which Sotsha did with Tomeki Dube is Stofotofo.
The Kalanga artiste is satisfied by what music has rewarded him with.
He is a proud owner of several houses in Bulawayo and owns a huge farm where he keeps cattle.
The original Black Umfolosi consisted of Sotsha Moyo, Tomeki Dube, Benia Phuti, Taurai Tichareva and Milton Dube.
Matabeleland is full of talented artistes like Jays Marabini, Sandra Ndebele and Iyasa, among others, who have toured many countries with success.