TOWNSHIP jazz musician Ernest Tanga wekwaSando has opened PaFio Arts Centre in Highfield, Harare.

The venue - situated behind Gwanzura Stadium - opened its doors to the public late last year and boasts state-of-the-art entertainment facilities including a performance hall, sports bar, braai area and butchery.

The inaugural show saw popular musicians Oliver Mtukudzi, Steve Makoni, Dino Mudondo, Sister Jean, Rute Mbangwa and proprietor Tanga wekwaSando entertaining revellers on December 10, 2011.

PaFio Arts Centre entertainment manager Ronnie Bere said the centre was born out of the need to promote township music that was being sidelined at the expense of other dominant music genres at the same time giving up- and-coming artistes a platform to showcase their talents.

"The aim of the centre is to promote township music since it is overlooked at other venues which prefer genres like sungura among others.

"The centre is also aimed at uplifting upcoming talent in the high-density suburbs," Bere said.

Meanwhile, revellers were ushered into the new year in style when PaFio Arts Centre hosted a gig dubbed "Welcome 2012 - Tenda Gore Rapera" featuring musicians Suluman Chimbetu, Josphat Somanje, Rute Mbangwa and Tanga wekwaSando on New Year's Eve.

Sulu's performance saw him playing his late father's song "Tenda Gore Rapera" at midnight to mark the the beginning of a new year.

The song became the theme song of the gig.

"Haulume" hitmaker Somanje gave revellers value for their money with his sungura beat while diva Rute Mbangwa kept Jazz musicians on their feet with her vibes.

Tanga wekwa Sando proved that township music is very much alive and kicking and those familiar with his music enjoyed yesteryear hits like "Wake", "Nyenyedzi Dzemugovera", "Mahobho" as well as new songs.

"It's a great honour to play on New Year's Eve in Highfield where I grew up.

"It was great playing alongside our ‘son' Sulu, who is doing great in his own right.

"This is one of those times when we come together to celebrate being Zimbabweans," he said.