PUMWANI BOYS FINALLY BREAKS THE “ZILIZOPENDWA” JINX

Pumwani Boys High School was my former secondary school and a couple of weeks ago; they made it on NTV moment of the day after the 9PM news bulletin.

And no it was not because of a strike or any lawlessness; but it was history moment in the making. For lovers of soft serenading and therapeutic music; then the just concluded Kenya School and Colleges Music Festivals in Nakuru was the place to be.

“For a festival that has been growing in form and content over the years; it was a full house when the newly established Zilizopendwa class with accompaniment debuted;” writes George Orido for The Standard.

Pumwani Boys from Nairobi was in a class of their own here when they performed Franco Makiadi’s and Sam Mangwana’s Tojour OK (Always OK).

Scoring a very high mark of 95 per cent; the orchestra arranged and conducted by Joseph Muyale Inzai was spot on in a manner that would make Luambo; the king of Lingala smile at his grave.

For many years and after many attempts; the jinx to hold the Zilizopendwa title was broken and Pumwani did it this year round and with a bang! Chavakali, Mbale and Vihiga high schools have been in the past bitter rivals to Pumu (as they are fondly referred) for the King of Zilizopendwa title.

A combination of well-rehearsed and trained vocals; timely and functional dance movements; blended brass and wind instruments made it a delight to watch.

The audience had to be contained from jumping onto the stage to join the dancing.

In the song; Mangwana complains about what some people are doing to him. They are not happy that he has made progress in life.

“Balobaki eh! Bilobaloba tolendie, Mobutu tokuta yenadokise matotoo. Kusemsesma walisema tumechoka. Muongo na mlozi NI WATU WA KUCHOMA,” he says.

Indeed it was a well injected high voltage performance- a thrilling showcase that manifested continuous creativity among Kenyan musicians.




WATCH THE VIDEO HERE-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-n2PyI0Uew