By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
The heartbeat of Zimbabwe’s music scene is growing louder — and it’s carrying the powerful rhythm of celebration.
Chibuku Road to Fame (CRTF) 2025 is back, and this time, it’s bigger, bolder, and more unforgettable than ever, as it marks 25 years of unearthing the country’s musical gems.
Launched in proud partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ), CRTF has become more than just a talent search — it’s a national movement, a cultural moment, and a stage for Zimbabwe’s most promising voices to rise and shine.
“This platform is not only about the music,” said Irimayi Muzorewa, Marketing Director of Delta Corporation. “It’s built on the backbone of uplifting the arts and empowering upcoming artists.”
From humble township beginnings to packed provincial stages, CRTF has played a key role in launching the careers of many now-household names. And in 2025, it’s pulling out all the stops to honour this musical legacy.
What’s New in 2025?
CRTF 2025 comes with a few new twists, making this jubilee edition one for the books. Running from August 23rd to October 4th, the festival’s theme — “25 Years of Discovering Talent” — says it all.
“To make the competition even more exciting, the provincial finals have been combined into six events featuring 20 groups in total,” revealed Muzorewa.
Each provincial event will announce its winners before moving on to the next, with three winning groups from each earning a golden ticket to the National Grand Finale. There, the top 10 will battle it out for fame, glory — and a serious cash boost.
Prize Breakdown: It Pays to Be Talented!
Provincial Prizes:
🥇 1st Place: USD 2,500
🥈 2nd Place: USD 1,500
🥉 3rd Place: USD 1,000
National Grand Finale Prizes:
🥇 1st Place: USD 15,000 + recording contract
🥈 2nd Place: USD 10,000
🥉 3rd Place: USD 7,000
Not bad for a dream and a mic.
While the competition fosters the next generation of stars, Chibuku — the brand behind the magic — continues to pour its soul into the arts. For Delta Corporation, CRTF is about more than entertainment.
“The Chibuku brand continues to leverage music and dance to nourish the bonds of brotherhood amongst its consumers,” Muzorewa said.
“We are excited to see the brand connect meaningfully with communities across the country while supporting rising stars.”
From dusty dancefloors to national stages, the journey of CRTF has always been deeply rooted in community, culture, and connection. And 2025 promises a soulful celebration of every note, every beat, and every breakthrough.
So get ready, Zimbabwe. The stage is set. The soundchecks are done. And a new star is just a performance away.
The calendar for the provincial finals is as follows:
Save the Dates
📍 CRTF 2025: August 23 – October 4
🎵 Theme: “25 Years of Discovering Talent”
🏆 Grand Finale: To be announced!
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