Zimbabwe wins Music Crossroads

Zimbabwe on Saturday made another history in the music circle when they won this year's inter-regional Music Crossroads held in Lilongwe, Malawi's capital city.

Malawi failed to defend the Music Crossroads title, which they have won consecutively in the past two years and saw Zimbabwe take over the reign during the inter-regional grand finale.

Zimbabwe came and conquered through their representatives Kuomboka band who scooped position one followed by Gwarimba band on position two.

It was yet another success story this year for the country, which has been awash with bad stories. Last month Zimbabwe also won M-net Idols competition through their representative Eric Moyo who went home US$80,000 richer plus winning a recording deal with Sony BMG.

It was bad news for Malawi really taking into consideration that the competition was taking place right in their own home soil.

Malawi’s Music Crossroads deputy national Co-odinator James Thole said the country was represented by Moshefu band from Blantyre and Mafirika from Lilongwe in the grand finals.

The two progressed into the grand finals after triumphing in the national finals, which took place on Thursday and Friday where nine groups battled it out.

“It was a tough competition but I should admit that the Zimbabwean bands were the best. As Malawi we are sad that we have failed to defend the title but we have learnt lessons,” said Thole in an interview on Sunday.

The deputy national coordinator said when the judges were announcing the winners, Malawi and the other countries who participated could not believe it.

“Mozambique had expectations, so too are Zambia and Tanzania. We also were hopeful but the competition was very tough this year and the best bands from Zimbabwe won,” he said but could not disclose what position they got saying the judges only announced the two positions.

Music Crossroads is one of-a-kind annual event, which combines music, people and humanitarian efforts to bring together the best young talents from Southern African countries like Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Malawi has been champions for two years running, having won it in Maputo, Mozambique in 2006 with Konga Vibes and in Harare, Zimbabwe last year with Body Mind and Soul.

For being the winner, the Zimbabwean band will receive a Music Crossroads European tour of over 10 different countries, professional training and an album recording.

The music festival this year was spiced up by performances from the country’s 2007 winner Body Mind and Soul who returned from their Europe trip recently and are set to visit USA next year.

There were also international guests from Sweden and Ireland.