adminMelissa Mpofu/Bongani Ndlovu
IT’S all systems go for the Kalawa Homecoming party taking place at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo today with revellers set to celebrate 20 years of kwaito with stars from present and yesteryear.
The party, which kicks off at 2PM, will have a star-studded lineup of Mdu, Mandoza, Zola, Alaska, Character, Jah Seed, Brickz, Pepsi, Uhuru, Character, Berita Khumalo, and newly formed group Stiff and Zenzo. South Africa-based Ezandla Phezulu hit-maker, Buffalo Souljah (real name Thabani Ndlovu) has also been added onto the much-hyped Kalawa Jazzmee Homecoming party lineup, together with one of his artistes, former Miss Zimbabwe, Vanessa Sibanda (Queen Vee). Bulawayo groups, Kwabatsha Generalz, Skaiva, Sbago, Scooby and Defined House will also perform at the party which many have dubbed as the mother of all parties. Ezra Tshisa Sibanda will be the MC.
Tickets to the party will be sold at the gates which open at 2PM with $10 being charged before 8PM, $15 thereafter and $25 for a VIP ticket.
Music lovers, especially those old enough to remember the days of the popular cheese kop hairstyle and small floppy hats will be taken back into time with performances by the godfather of kwaito, Mduduzi Masilela of the Mazola hit track.
Mandoza was also a superstar with songs like Godoba, Fifty Fifty, Tornado and Nkalakatha, which is the theme song for the South African Rugby team — Springboks.
The pioneer of kwaito rap, Zola, will also make a date in the country for the first time. The Mdlwembe hit-maker who became so popular that a television programme called Zola was aired on SABC 1.
Buffalo Souljah and Queen Vee will have to prove their mettle among local fans, especially considering that this will be their first time to perform in the city. This will also be Queen Vee’s first performance in the country. She is signed under Buffalo’s United Nations of Africa stable.
Buffalo, who was born in Bulawayo, will have a chance to get the much needed recognition back home for winning over five Channel O Music Video Awards as the show is expected to draw thousands of fans to the City of Kings and Queens.
Buffalo said he hoped Bulawayo patrons would receive him and Queen Vee well.
“I’ve never been in my father’s land and it feels like this is my first time going on stage. I hope I’ll impress and fans there will receive me well on the level I’m expecting.
“Some DJs in Bulawayo were always asking me when I would perform there so I hope this is the beginning of more shows to come in that city,” Buffalo said.
Queen Vee who returned to the music industry a few months ago after a two-year absence said she would only perform one track.
“I recently released a single, Agenda, which features South Africa’s Da Les and AB Crazy so that’s the one I’ll perform as we’re focusing on pushing that song.
“I’m excited to be performing in Bulawayo for the first time,” Queen Vee said.
Her Agenda single will be launched early next year. Oskido and Pepsi arrived in Bulawayo earlier in the week for Christmas parties which had been lined up at various nightspots.
Show organiser Vusumuzi Siqalaba said all was in place and they were just waiting for artistes to deliver and patrons to do what they are good at — partying hard into the wee hours of the next morning.
“All is in place and all the performing artistes have been cleared for the show. We’re celebrating 20 years of kwaito music this year and what better way to do so than to celebrate with the kings of kwaito themselves,” Siqalaba said.
The homecoming party which is now in its second year is being held under the theme: “Celebrating 20 years of Kwaito”.
Online Reporter