Dr Gasolo’s long walk to success
Jane Nkiwane
A number of promising artistes from Matabeleland struggle to make ends meet, and also fail to propel themselves into stardom due to lack of resources. A local artist has pledged to walk from Gwanda to Bulawayo in support of other struggling artists.
Prince Ncube (34) whose stage name is Dr Gasolo, who hails from Matshetsheni village in Gwanda Matabeleland South, has taken it upon himself to support local upcoming artistes through an initiative dubbed ‘The long walk to success” which will see him take a physical long walk. Gasolo is set to walk from his rural home in Matshetsheni village to Bulawayo on foot on the 18th of August this year.
Gasolo will depart from Matshetsheni on 18 August 2022 and head to Gwanda where he will perform in the presence of government officials, chiefs, local business personnel and the community. On the 19th, he will walk to Esigodini and also perform there. Finally, on Saturday the 20th of August 2022, he will walk to Bulawayo where there will be a launch of his poetry album ‘Impande the roots.’
“This walk is an awareness walk where I intend to draw attention from the local business community and traditional leaders around Matabeleland and urge them to support local artistes as well as to fundraise for the Dr Gasolo School of Arts Competition function,” he said.
The poet bemoaned the lack of support for Matabeleland artistes.
“When local artists stage shows, there is usually a low turnout and some people do not pay the full amount of money required for admission. This is in sharp contrast with what happens in other provinces where you find that an artist can sell a disc for $10usd and a well wisher can offer to buy it for $1000usd as a way of showing support,” he said.
Dr Gasolo hopes to attract people from all walks of life who will “witness quality entertainment” and appreciate the abundant talent in the Matabeleland provinces.
In preparation for the August walk, Dr Gasolo has planned to do a rehearsal walk where he will walk from Bulawayo to Esigodini and back to Bulawayo on a date yet to be advised.
Dr Gasolo is inviting individuals and companies who wish to be part of the event and also partner with him to make the initiative a success to contact him on +263 77 529 8403.
