adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
The Kalawa Homecoming party which started on Sunday night only ended at 7AM yesterday leaving many nursing hangovers and sore feet.
Organisers have not been spared as they also had to take a dose of painkillers during the party on Sunday night after rap rivals AKA and Cassper Nyovest proved they were divas.
So sour are the relations between the two that AKA refused to share the same tent with Nyovest preferring the comfort of the Queens Sports Club house. As a result, organisers had to run around at the eleventh hour to ensure the club house was comfortable for AKA who they had hoped would sit in the other tent at least.
As if that was not enough, allegations are that AKA had refused to board the same plane as Cassper on Sunday but organisers told him that they had chartered one flight for all SA artistes.
Thousands of fans had parted with nothing less than $20 to witness AKA and Cassper sharing the stage for the first time. However, AKA who performed much earlier than Cassper was met by mild cheers from fans who were probably happy to see him perform live for the first time. He did not miss the opportunity to fire shots at Nyovest when he performed Composure, a diss track he wrote for Cassper. Fans joined him and rapped word for word. After going through his song list with tracks such as Run Jozi, All eyes on me, Congratulate and I want it all, AKA jumped off stage and left the venue.
While the evergreen duo of Mafikizolo generally performed well with a well-choreographed act, the show had its ups and downs with some local DJs almost killing the mood with their drowsy sets. Shumaya hit-makers, Durban Nyts who were performing in the country for the first time were equally energetic, showing off their nimble feet on stage with kwaito group, Stiff also making a good account of themselves. Durban Nyts who spent the greater part of the show wandering in the VVIP tent seemed to be enjoying each moment of the party. They were later spotted with women that looked like hookers.
Cassper who is no stranger to Bulawayo fans eventually took to the stage way after AKA and as expected, proved more popular than his bitter rival, if the crowd’s response during his set was anything to go by. He had the crowd eating out of his hand as fans danced and mimicked what he was doing on stage.
The Doc Shebeleza decided to respond to AKA with his hit, Phumakim’ with the emphasis on the second verse “I told my story, I made a fortune, AKA’s favourite rapper I guess I made it on the Forbes list being an anthem.”
After performing tracks, Le Mpitse, Mama I made It, Doc Shebeleza and Gusheshe, Cassper signed off by introducing Bulawayo’s hip hop star Cal_Vin whom he collaborated with for track Zikhuphan’.
It was “a golden moment” for Cal_Vin who was visibly happy as he is highly inspired by Cassper.
Comedian Babongile Sikhonjwa who was meant to be M.C at last year’s party but failed to attend after being involved in an accident was back on stage this year with Ezra Tshisa Sibanda. They steered the party ensuring people did not leave the venue. However, police started chasing people away after 6AM, compromising DJ Tira’s act. He had taken over from DJs Bobstar and Tony Digital.
The police however ran out of luck as some who had pretended to be leaving the venue rushed back after DJ Tira played some of their favourite tunes from way back.
After Tira was DJ Pespi who toned down the mood with deep house, probably a move meant to send people home. At this point, about 7AM, police shepherded the droves of people with vicious dogs on leash out of the cricket ground, marking the end of a memorable night.
Now in its fourth edition, the Kalawa Homecoming party, which is undeniably the biggest party in the country proved it had grown after organisers delivered a world-class event. The stage as well as VIP and VVIP sections which had been set up by VIP Hosting were everything one gets at international events.
But, entrance into the venue was chaotic once again for standard ticket-holders. On the other hand, VIP ticket-holders had a smooth sailing though their experience was later compromised after thieves somehow gained access into their private party. Those who left their expensive whiskeys unattended learnt the hard way after thieves pounced and vanished with them, probably selling them on to the masses.
The VIP and the VVIP toilets were however oversubscribed because queues were the order of the day. This led some, especially men, to urinate right by the side of the toilets.
Buying drinks was a pleasure as Club Eden bartenders were alert, ensuring guests were catered for well. Those in the VVIP section had a lifetime opportunity to mix and mingle with artistes and take photos with them. A handy photo booth was also availed.
Online Reporter