Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
AFTER being postponed twice due to unforeseen circumstances, the much-anticipated Bosso@100 Roast is finally set to take place today at the Highlanders Club House grounds, with organisers promising an evening of comedy, nostalgia and tribute as the Bulawayo giants celebrate their centenary.
Organised by Umahlekisa Comedy Club, the roast will combine comedy, football culture and nostalgia as Highlanders’ 100-year journey is revisited through jokes, banter and storytelling.
Umahlekisa director Ntando Van Moyo said preparations for the event were complete, with the panellists carefully selected for their knowledge of the club and its rich history.
The panel includes Zimpapers Senior Reporter Sikhumbuzo Moyo, veteran modelling instructor and former Miss Highlanders Sipho Mazibuko, Sportsgrind founder and host Buhlebenkosi Ncube and Zimbabwean-Hollywood actor Tendai Humbasha Maduwa.
Highlanders senior men’s team defender Lawrence Mhlanga and goalkeeper Reward Muza have also been added to the panel, while other surprise guests, including passionate Highlanders supporters, are expected to join them.
“The preparations are complete and we are ready to host the event. The panellists are also fully prepared, and I think that is the most important part.
“We have included some of the Bosso players, Mhlanga and Muza, because we were inspired by the desire to have them come and tell the story from their perspective as people who are part of the institution.
“These are people who are playing for the club and interact with other players and staff every day. Highlanders is part of their DNA,” said Van Moyo.
He said the roast will celebrate Highlanders’ contribution to Zimbabwean football and communities while poking fun at some of the club’s memorable moments.
“Roasts are about celebration. We’ll be celebrating a football giant that has given Zimbabwe countless memories over the past 100 years.
“There’ll be jokes, banter and storytelling, but all of it will be done in honour of Bosso and its remarkable contribution to football and community development in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Van Moyo said the event would go beyond comedy, with music, dance, fashion and poetry also lined up.
“We are going to have performances from local artistes to bring some fun and excitement to the roast. As patrons enter the venue, we will have a Black and White Carpet affair which will be hosted by Khekhe. The fashion police will also be there in full force to choose those dressed well for the event.
“We encourage people to come dressed in their best sportswear and anything that has a link with sport, as there will also be special prizes for the best-dressed people on the day, sponsored by Signature Suits,” said Van Moyo.
The comedy outfit has partnered Zimpapers Digital to livestream the event, giving Highlanders supporters in Zimbabwe and the diaspora an opportunity to follow the celebrations.
Van Moyo said the livestream would also provide businesses with an opportunity to reach a wider audience.
“Zimpapers is a leading media house. They’ve done very well in keeping up with the new digital and social media trends, something that made us collaborate with them in livestreaming the event.
“This move was inspired by the motive to accommodate millions of Highlanders supporters from all over the world to join us as we celebrate this milestone.
“Zimpapers has more than one million readers and viewers so this is also a great platform for businesses and companies to utilise the opportunity to advertise their products during our livestream and reach a much greater audience,” he said.
Highlanders’ centenary celebrations have also been marked by grief, with the club losing several officials and supporters in recent months.
In July, club chairman retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe, vice-chairman Fiso Siziba, treasurer Nkani Khoza and supporter Mbalenhle Sibanda died in a road accident while travelling from Kariba to Bulawayo.
The club later lost its long-serving secretary, Sihlalisiwe Mnkandla, followed by Ncube’s death in August.
Six Highlanders supporters also died in a road accident near Filabusi Centre in August when the kombi they were travelling in collided with a stationary tipper truck.
These are some of the factors that led to the postponement of the roast. Van Moyo said the deceased would be honoured during the roast.
“We have lost many of our people at Highlanders, including our recent tragic loss of our executive members through a road accident. We will dedicate a segment to them at the roast to pay our respects as we remember how much they contributed to the growth and maintenance of Highlanders,” he said.
Umahlekisa has previously hosted roasts featuring personalities such as Sandra Ndebele, Novuyo Seagirl and Bulawayo Mayor Councillor David Coltart.
The comedy outfit is among the pioneers of the roast format in Zimbabwe, using humour to celebrate personalities and institutions while reflecting on their journeys.
