Mutende Cultural Ensemble

Mutende Cultural Ensemble is a Zambian cultural music group formed in 1978 towards the end of the Zamrock era.

History and origin

The group was started in Buchi Township in Kitwe, Copperbelt and was initially called Mutende Theatre. By then, the group was just performing drama and poetry with its original members being Albert Sokoloni Kapwaya, Albert Nobbie Katebe, Tom Zulu, Tulani Nyathi, Boniface Simwanza, Charles Phiri and Maxwell.

As a group of innovative youths, they decided to form a drama group that became known as Mutende Theatre, which was based at the Buchi Community Hall under the Kitwe City Council.

During its earlier days, the group was also involved in football, boxing and karate.

Main references

• Mutende Cultural Ensemble lives on, Zambia Daily Mail, 7 July 2017