Chitima Triumphs at Chibuku Road to Fame Finals, Taking US$15,000 Grand Prize

Chitima Band from Harare won the 2025 Chibuku Road to Fame finals at Gwanzura Stadium, taking the US$15,000 top prize (image source)

The Chibuku Road to Fame national finals at Gwanzura Stadium on Saturday marked a milestone 25th anniversary for Zimbabwe’s premier grassroots music competition, crowning Chitima Band of Harare as national champions. The group walked away with the US$15,000 grand prize and a recording contract, sealing a career-defining victory in front of thousands of music lovers.

Ten provincial finalists converged in Highfield for a day of performances that showcased Afro-fusion, sungura, and traditional contemporary sounds. All in One from Mashonaland West and Simuniziva from Matabeleland North secured second and third place, taking home US$10,000 and US$7,000 respectively.

The event — a partnership between Delta Beverages and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) — combined competition with celebration. Guest performances from Winky D and Feli Nandi electrified the crowd, while the after-party drew artists, producers, and cultural stakeholders in a lively close to the national music calendar.

Chitima bandleader Charles Chakanetsa attributed their win to teamwork and discipline, saying the prize money will fund studio recording and promotion.

“Hard work and cooperation put us here,” said Chakanetsa after being announced the winner.

NACZ Director Napoleon Nyanhi hailed Delta Beverages’ sustained investment in arts development, noting that Chibuku Road to Fame has “uncovered and nurtured generations of Zimbabwean musical talent.” Since its launch 25 years ago, the competition has become a cultural institution — producing stars such as Winky D, Progress Chipfumo, and Mokoomba — and providing a vital platform for emerging acts through cash incentives, recording deals, and live exposure.

This year’s lineup reflected an evolving soundscape. Afro-fusion dominated, with eight of the ten bands performing in that genre — a signal of shifting market tastes toward urban-African and cross-genre fusions. The USD-denominated prizes underscored the practical realities of the music economy, where stable foreign currency remains key to financing studio sessions, tours, and marketing.

For Delta Beverages, the competition doubles as a corporate social investment and brand-engagement platform, reinforcing the company’s long-standing cultural presence. Each provincial round offers product visibility alongside opportunities for artistic development — a balance that has made Chibuku Road to Fame one of Zimbabwe’s most enduring music initiatives.

With their victory, Chitima Band now moves into the recording phase of their contract, expected to expand their footprint across touring circuits and streaming platforms. Industry observers say their success could set the tone for a new wave of commercially viable Afro-fusion acts emerging from Zimbabwe’s grassroots music scene.

As NACZ and Delta Beverages reaffirm their partnership, the competition remains a pillar of Zimbabwe’s live-music ecosystem, bridging tradition and modernity while creating real economic pathways for new artists.

“Hard work and cooperation put us here.” — Chitima bandleader Charles Chakanetsa