He has more than 20 years of experience in the music industry, a man born with an extra ordinary talent as he can do multiple tasks at the same time while performing imbube dance. His name is Khutshwekhaya Siziba, well branded as Oscar Siziba in the arts and entertainment industry. His passion for imbube dates to his early years when he was at Impumelelo shinning stars where he performed several roles as a senior member, lead singer and a composer/song writer. The group was established in 2001 for the sole purpose of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ while at the same time imparting traditional and cultural knowledge and wisdom through imbube, a genre largely associated with the Matabeleland provinces of Zimbabwe.
When asked why they rebranded from Impumelelo Shinning Stars to Indosakusa the Morning Star, Oscar explains, “God spoke to us to rebrand so that our name has an identity of our culture, of who we are, ubuntu bethu, isintu sethu, hence we came up with an all-encompassing name that explains widely that we are a star, we are no longer following many stars but we are now an Indosakusa, which is the Morning star, not shinning stars”. The group is made up of 7 males who consist of himself, Oscar Siziba, Thembelani Ndlovu, Innocent Sibanda, Atiambiwi Shoko, Nomore Alla Sibanda, Kwanele Moyo Madlela and Trevor Dube.
He further gives details on the accomplishments they have received soon after rebranding, “When we were Impumelelo Shinning Stars for 14 years we only received one award in 2016 from Botswana but under Indosakusa we have several accolades, locally and internationally, this is the power of God opening up bigger and greater opportunities for us to flourish in the industry. Indosakusa, the Morning Star was started in 2018. Below are the accolades they have so far;
- 2016 Botswana recognition, an award for preserving culture
- 2018 Best lmbube group (Skyz metro FM)
- 2019 Best Imbube group ( Bulawayo Arts Awards)
- 2019 Best traditional folk group (Zima awards)
- 2020 Best Covid 19 song (Zima awards)
- 2021 Best Imbube group (Bulawayo arts awards)
- 2021 Best gospel group Mat.South (Tesma awards )
- 2020 Best Covid 19 song on Radio African panorama (UK)
- 2020 Best Covid 19 song in South Africa (Khozi FM ) on Third position
Oscar explains that he received his inspiration for music largely from God and the Zion church where he worships as well as from Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Black Umfolosi. So far Oscar says that the group has undertaken a lot of tours locally and internationally and in each case their art improves for the better. “We have performed in 33 towns and cities in our country and in more than 12 countries, we have showcased our creativity in the biggest African stadiums such as the FNB and Coca-Cola Dom stadiums in South Africa., National Sports stadium in Zimbabwe, at galas, the Harare International Festival of Arts, lntwasa Arts festival, Bulawayo Arts Awards and Choral festival of arts in South Africa, among other places.
The group has done several collaborations with the creative industry icons who include Robin Liepmani, Marthie Nel Hauptfleisch (South Africa), Dumi Right (Unites States of America), Joseph Shabalala (Ladysmith Black Mambazo South Africa), Jeys Marabini (Zimbabwe), Noma Nkwali Zimbabwe (Australia), Gazelinnyama (Zimbabwe), Imbongi Voices for Africa (Germany).
So far the group has released the following 12 albums;
1) Emthonjeni 2001
2) Umhlaba uyajikajika 2003
3) Uhlaleleni 2004
4) Ngeke ehluleke 2005
5) Unomalanga 2006
6) Love one another 2010
7) Amaqhinga Aphelile 2013
8) Avulekile Amazulu 2016
9) Gospel volume 1. 2017
10) Indosakusa 2018
11) Gospel volume 2. 2019
12) Isililo sentandane 2022 and several singles.
The following are some of the projects that Oscar has established; Indosakusa Juniors, Indosakusa Teenagers, Omkantshobomvu Mbaqanga band, Touch of Class Hair Salon, Thobela Arts Foundation and many more businesses.
One of these projects, the Thobela Arts Foundation, TAF a non-profit making organisation established in 2020, is set to host an inaugural and prestigious event in September 2023 running under the theme “Celebrating Imbube Milestone”.
Oscar explains that TAF seeks to “support, promote and improve the lifestyle of our local artists, teaching, preaching and spreading the gospel of our own cultural identity”.
He further elaborates on their aim, “Our goal is to see artists spreading wings through art and our new generation being taught widely about our own indigenous cultural practices and beliefs”.
“We are Celebrating Imbube milestone because it is our mother genre in Matabeleland, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our God for taking us this far since its existence (Imbube) decades and decades ago”. This is a national event that they intend to hold every year in September. Oscar is calling everyone to come and experience the flamboyancy and the richness of Matabeleland culture pioneered by Imbube art genre. “This will be a 2-day event, the first day will be dedicated to workshops and exhibitions, empowerment training sessions concerning Imbube, also called isicathamiya”. He further reveals that the first day will also focus on exhibiting all their works since their existence in the arts industry, items such as gallery videos, outfitsand many more branded merchandise will be displayed. “The second day will be for crowd pulling and crowd thrilling performances from various creatives across Zimbabwe and beyond, many more exciting details will be availed in due course as we seek to make this a memorable occasion”, says Oscar.
Oscar explains that so far people welcome their initiative and they look forward to receive support of any kind to make this event a success. “So far we have met different Imbube groups in Bulawayo and Matabeleland South and they have expressed interests to be part of this foundational event”. Oscar also mentions that they have all their paperwork ready to distribute to the business community and sponsors to support them in whatever means they can. The registration process for groups that wish to partake is ongoing. He reveals that they are about to officially launch the branded products that will be used during the event. “Preparations are all set on a high note”, says Oscar.
“The event will ensure that we achieve the following among other areas; spread our imbube identity, give imbube groups more recognition and to help teach the young generation about this genre, a back borne of our culture as the Matabele people, all this will be done to preserve our culture”, he says.
We urge you all, our fellow Zimbabweans, locally and abroad to come in numbers to support this noble initiative, we call for partnerships and sponsorships in various areas necessary to hold a fruitful event”, concludes Oscar Khutshwekhaya Siziba.
Thanks alot will love to be part of the this great event
An awesome event for sure, you are most welcome