Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Lifestyle Senior Writer
A STAR-STRUCK young bloke stood in admiration as Mark Ngwazi disembarked from his white van at Kujeke Grounds in Hwedza on Tuesday afternoon.
With excitement written all over his face, it was evident the pint-sized sungura star, who combines comedy and music, was giving the lad goosebumps.
The young man couldn’t believe his eyes.
He seemed torn between yelling and crying, as his happiness was beyond words.
With beefy bouncers, police and other “strange” individuals everywhere, his wish was to manoeuvre and navigate his way to Ngwazi.
His prayer was answered as he drew closer for a handshake and a moment to remember.
“I touched his hand!” the boy exclaimed, ecstatic as he walked away.
“Is he that short?” asked a fellow villager, who had arrived at Kujeke Grounds around 3pm.
“We are in for an unforgettable night,” shouted another villager, imbibing the Chibuku Super brew.
As Ngwazi parked, another woman stood there, literally drooling at him.
“I can’t believe I have seen him up close. He appears tall and fat in videos, but he is a humble celebrity who is well-mannered,” remarked the young woman, walking away despite missing her chance for a “selfie” with the Njanja Express leader.
The real fun began during the sound check, which easily blew away hordes of villagers. Some left their vending stalls unattended while others jostled to catch a glimpse of Faheem, the son of Daiton Somanje, who was testing his guitars.
The energy exhibited by Faheem during the sound check was enough to convince village lads that real fun was on the way.
As they say, soothing music transcends ethnicities, tribes and languages. Jeys Marabini, who sings in Ndebele and English, quickly won over a handful of fans during the sound check.
“I will come back on stage, my fans; don’t go away,” Jeys assured the crowd.
As more stars trickled in, the anticipation grew as everyone patiently waited to honour their idols.
For newcomers like this lifestyle writer, Hwedza was buzzing, with stars like Simon Mutambi, Tendai Dembo and Sasha Amadhuve continuing to invade the venue.
In no time, the stage manager from ZTN Prime had a torrid time controlling the crowd, which was now scaling the barricades.
“Please don’t scale the barricades and don’t go near our cameras. May the police assist us,” shouted the stage manager, sensing the growing excitement among fans.
A stroll around Harare Business Centre before sunset was an experience in itself, as stallholders, food vendors and bar owners continued their business.
“I have never recorded such business in my life as a food vendor here at Dziwos Complex,” stressed a vendor, who preferred to be identified as Mai Tino. “We hardly host such events here, and the closest one that has attracted people is the Hwedza Festival run by Honourable Tino Machaire. His event is normally held each Christmas, but hosting these stars on our doorstep is an achievement in itself,” chuckled the vendor.
A further stroll at Hwedza Centre, just a few metres past the Hwedza Rural District Council’s main office, revealed a buzzing atmosphere.
“We are meeting at the grounds tonight, and I will go home after the final act.
“We have been recording brisk business here, as more people have been waiting for this event all along. My salon has been a hive of activity, and you have to cash in on such occasions.
“I will also attend after work. After all, who am I to miss this fun?” stated a hairdresser in her shop at Hwedza Centre, busy plaiting a client.
After sunset, when the gala officially started, Kujeke Grounds was transformed into a bustling market square where everything was everywhere.
The creative food vendors kept fans warm as they sold tea served with bread or deep-fried dough balls known as Magwinya or Vetkoek in Afrikaans.
“You can help yourself to tea here for only US$1,” stated a vendor who approached passersby.
Braai meat, which came in the form of offals, meatballs and roasted chicken, was available.
The aroma of roasted meat enveloping Kujeke Grounds was a clear sign that brisk business was being recorded on this special night.
Without fear or favour, food vendors emerged as the biggest winners of the night, as fans who had travelled from as far as Marondera, Chivhu and Murambinda were treated to their delicacies.
Other service providers from Harare could not afford to miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“I enjoy this rural experience because it’s real and authentic. I have tasted almost everything from these vendors, and I can say that we also miss this in Harare. “Some of the delicacies sold here remind me of my grandmother, who used to spoil us when we were young,” shared a ZTN Prime technician in attendance. “I enjoyed these delicacies because the stallholders were smart, and that is what we have been longing for.”
As the gala went into full swing, it was evident that Hwedza villagers not only enjoyed watching their stars in action but also had a great time themselves.
Gospel sensation Mathias Mhere, who is familiar with rural crowds, shared his thoughts on why the people of Hwedza emerged as the biggest winners.
“To be honest with you, I have many fans everywhere, including rural areas, as you saw here,” he stated.
“Some of the artistes you underestimate in towns are big here in rural communities because fans easily identify with them. I have seen this happening in every rural community I visit.”
Mhere has vowed to build on the Hwedza experience and penetrate more rural communities.
“For your information, I will go out of my way to ensure that I perform wherever people are gathered. As artists, we need to go out of our way to meet our fans who often miss such experiences in life.
“For instance, it was not only about music here; business opportunities were realised on this special occasion,” he shared.
Similar sentiments were echoed by revolutionary singer and patriot Chief Hwenje, whose real name is Admire Sanyanga Sibanda.
The “ED Pfee” and “Mai Welly” singer has great respect for the rural folk.
“I have performed at national events and rallies across every part of Zimbabwe, which has brought me closer to the rural communities. I understand rural folk better than many other musicians because I have spent much of my time in my village,” he stated.
“Business was created here, and credit goes to our President for ensuring that every community benefits from his mantra of leaving no one behind. We should all benefit and take pride in our stars, fans, and even promote the areas from which we come,” he continued.
Being a night of legends, Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, who turns 82 today, shared his wisdom with this writer. “I am enjoying the proceedings here because I am surrounded by loving people. The response from the fans is awesome, and I have noticed it as I strolled through the packed grounds. I am being treated with dignity here, and this is the gospel I have been preaching for years,” said the godfather of Zim gospel music.
He also saluted the people of Hwedza and surrounding areas for honouring their heroes and heroines peacefully.
“The proceedings here went according to plan, as the fans exhibited excellent behaviour. I can see we have plenty of vendors doing their work, and I am glad that memories have been created.”
After all has been said and done, rural communities still uphold Ubuntu and respect.
This was on display in Hwedza, where traditional leaders, like Chiefs, are still respected as custodians of our culture.
The tranquillity, respect and love exhibited at Kujeke Grounds are a testament to the role traditional leaders play.
Business-wise, Hwedza is undoubtedly one of the hubs where new investors can try their luck.
Entertainment-wise, the community is not behind; they are in touch with what happens in big towns and cities.
As such, you can only look down upon them at your own peril. Hwedza, I salute you!
