Government through the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Arts Permanent Secretary-Arts Fumba Chama in partnership with Stanbic Bank, has launched the Stanbic Music Festival.
The event is set to take place from 13th to 14th October at the Lusaka Polo Club this year, welcoming one of the United States of America’s biggest music star, Shaffer Chimere Smith alias Ne-Yo who will be performing live on stage.
Speaking during the relaunch of the festival, Mr. Chama said that he is delighted and gratified to have partnered with Stanbic Bank in relaunching the music festival and that it is a brilliant initiative aimed at raising awareness of the local music industry.
The permanent secretary also said that the bank provides a platform for young upcoming artists in the country to showcase their talents, adding that it is the same reason it has successfully managed to attract a globally renowned musician.
“We salute the bank for securing Neyo’s services to travel to the country and entertain the masses for what we know as electric performance,” Mr. Chama said.
He also stated that President Hakainde Hichilema’s led government is committed to accelerating economic growth that will aspire job creation for the youths in a sustainable manner.
“As Government, we have demonstrated our commitment to persue our graceful development agenda that positively impacts the arts,” he said.
Mr. Chama added that the music and art sectors are among the various projects the youths can venture into to earn themselves a living as well as contribute to the GDP of the country.
“I would like to recommend local artists to participate in this particular festival and as Government, we want our music industry to be treated as commercial business so as to increase the growth and naturing of talent and so we urge the banking sector to continue developing initiatives such as this one, “He said.
Meanwhile, Actress and TV presenter Mwaka Mugala said that she is excited for the upcoming music festival becausew of Ne-Yo, saying that he is a huge and well known artist all over the world.
“I am very excited, because the festival is of international standards and it will attract collaboration, I know a lot of these artists will get to interact with the international artist and having him is exciting,” she said.
And Neyo music fan, Samson Antonio said that he is happy with how Stanbic Bank has relaunched the music festival and that Ne-Yo’s coming to Zambia is beneficial for local artists to interact with him and travel overseas to work and learn more about music.
“Ne-Yo is a great artist and has been in the music industry for many years now and I’m excited that he is coming to Zambia and his visit is surely putting our country on an international level and it’s really an exciting opportunity we have as a society to develop in different ways,” he said.