SOUTH African Afro-pop musician Freddie “Amadamara” Gwala has announced that he will be launching his forthcoming album in Bulawayo.
The album titled Parole will be launched at the Mitre Bar, next to the Barrow swimming pool.
Gwala confirmed his trip to Bulawayo in a 30-second video clip.
“On October 7, I will be at Mitre Bar where I will perfom there then on Sunday I will be at Barbourfields Stadium where Highlanders will be playing,” he said.
“Let's come and enjoy, it's been long since I have been here (Bulawayo) with you.”
One of the organisers, Sibanengi Ndebele, popularly known as DJ Mzoe, said Gwala’s love for Bulawayo prompted him to launch the album in the city of Kings first.
“He will come through and mingle with his fans, it’s been long since he was in Bulawayo,” he said.
“That’s why we decided that he first launches his album here.
- Freddie Gwala to launch album in Bulawayo
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“Mitre is a new place that gives you a new vibe.
“We shall have a launch of the album then the other will be an after party of the Highlanders match on Sunday.
“His love for the city and also the love he gets from fans prompted him to launch the album here first, before taking it anywhere else.”
Gwala will be supported by Vusa Mkhaya, Prosper and the Smart Birds.
With Mkhaya, Gwala celebrates a collaboration dubbed Tshilamoya, a dedication to Highlanders Football Club.
Gwala shares a relationship with Zimbabwe, where his hit track Madamara made waves.
“South Africans don’t know how big I am in other countries, in Botswana they treat me with respect,” Gwala said in an interview recently.
“I was big here in South Africa, but it's Zimbabweans who made me stronger, I love and respect them.
“My song Madamara blew up in Zimbabwe and a promoter booked me for a tour in Bulawayo and Harare.”
Gwala shared the stage with the late Oliver Mtukudzi, and at one time produced Paul Matavire’s album.
He is credited with having created the “Zumba” genre of African music, which is a fusion of soul music and disco, and which he made popular with hit songs such as his classic “Amadamara”.