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Zandile Zaza Ndlovu
As the year comes to an end, the entertainment industry is ablaze with activity.
The Sunday Mail Society took time to speak to some of the organisers and artistes billed to perform at the annual shutdown festivities.
The festivities have already begun, with the City of Kings and Queens hosting the Bulawayo Shutdown headlined by big names such as Nasty C, Mafikizolo, Killer Kau, Winky D, Nadia Nakai, Shasha, Asaph, Lee Mchoney, Mzoe7, Mimi Tarukwana, Novuyo Seagirl, Calvin, Skaiva and Ryan Synth.
The Vic Falls Carnival
The resort town of Victoria Falls has become the go to place when ushering in the New Year. The drawcard, some may say, is in having that magical experience of the majestic waterfalls, seeing the smoke that thunders and the ever friendly local residents — both human and wildlife.
While there are numerous interesting events taking place in the resort town, starting from today up to the first of January, the Vic Falls Carnival is the main attraction.
The event takes off this afternoon with the epic Train and Bush Party, which has been one of the most popular elements of the carnival.
With a line-up that includes Shekhinah, Dj Maphorisa, Prince Kaybee, Flying Bantu, Tamy, Jah Signal and Raydizz to name a few, this three-day event is set to be explosive.
While AKA is no longer on the lineup, organisers have put smiles on many faces, especially locals, as they have replaced the rapper with Sha Sha.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Society, the carnival’s spokesperson Darryn Lee shed more light on this year’s edition.
“The Vic Falls Carnival is now in its ninth year and for the first time we have partnered MTV Base and have brought on board some of Africa’s biggest acts so as to give attendees an unforgettable New Year’s experience,” said Lee.
“Our main focus is to bring a truly African festival to the locals and to international travellers as Vic Falls is a major tourist area.”
The Vic Falls Carnival is an international event which is ranked among the top 10 festivals in Africa.
Mapopoma Festival
Still in Victoria Falls, this publication also caught up with the founder of the Mapopoma Festival, Patrick Musonza, popularly known as Dj Spevar.
The second edition of this three-day music festival, running under the theme “Culture Meets Culture”, kicks off today at Chinotimba Stadium with the Ubuntu Concert. Visitors and locals are encouraged to bring their national flags to celebrate the unity of all the countries that share the Zambezi River.
“This is a music festival so our line-up is mainly deejay based, with some big artistes such as ExQ, Stunner, Balimba Africa and Africa Movement adding to the musical variety,” said DJ Spevar.
“We selected numerous top DJs and MCs from various parts of the country, with the likes of DJ Scar, Fafi, Dollarbill, Spevar, Proffessor, Big Dollar Bruce and The Rift among others headlining the event.
“This year, the venue is Chinotimba Stadium, which is at the heart of Victoria Falls. It is easily accessible and pushes township tourism. Our main target is the local community of Victoria Falls, with the overspill coming from the resort town’s visitors.”
Party at The Odyssey Kadoma
Zimdancehall is set to take over Kadoma as The Oddyssey Hotel plays host to some of the country’s biggest names in the industry.
Enzo Ishall, Seh Calaz, Bazooka, Freeman, Fantan and Levels are among some of the artistes that will perfrom at this popular joint on New Year’s Eve.
“Each year we select different musicians from different genres and this time around we have gone for Zimdancehall, which is very popular in the town. We are looking forward to great show,” said Dee Nosh, who is one of the organisers.
This is the sixth annual New Year’s Eve event being hosted by 2Kings Entertainment.
Kariba Fest
The Kariba Festival is an all-out DJ event which is being headlined by top electronic music acts including Bhana, Samuel Cosmic, Jonathan Mariani, Tristan Williams and Rob Macson, to name just a few.
The event’s founder, Rob Macson, said: “The Kariba Festival is a two-day DJ festival. The location we chose, Chirara, is in a remote part of Kariba and has private chalets and accommodation.
“The venue has access to water activities and game drives. Festival goers will get to experience life in the wild Kariba.”
Winky D’s album launch
In the capital, the most anticipated New Year’s Eve gig is Winky D’s album launch, which will be held at the HICC.
For months, the Gaffa’s fans have been calling out for him to release new music. He has decided to give them a whole new album.
The last time he launched an album at the venue, he managed to fill it up. Considering the show’s hype, this gig is set to be massive.
Seh Calaz’s album launch
Not to be left out, Ceh Calaz will also be launching his new album “Bholato Bholato” on the first day of 2020.
The launch event will be held at Pamadhinha Magaba Flats in Mbare and is free of charge, with the likes of Killer T, Guspy Warrior, Dhadza D, Kinnah, Hwinza ,Dj Flevah, Etherton, Abisha Palmer and 2Bad, among others, set to perform.
Motor Action Sunday final showdown
For those who are in Harare today, Motor Action Sports Club is the place to be as the venue hosts its final Epic Sunday gig of the year.
While one of its major MCs, Big Dollar Bruce, is also part of the cast at Mapopoma Festival in Victoria Falls, he has decided to give his fans one last party before he leaves for the resort town.
Numerous top DJs and surprise artistes are billed to perform, with organisers promising fireworks for the last edition of 2019’s Motor Action Sundays.
Wherever you may be, New Year is set to be lit and exciting. There is definitely no lack of variety in entertainment as audiences will be spoilt for choice.
Quick tips for the revellers — buy your tickets on time, book your travel and accommodation on time, and stay hydrated as most of the venues are in hot areas.
Above all, from The Sunday Mail Society team, we wish you a fabulous and joyful entry into the New Year.
Zandile Zaza Ndlovu is a lifestyle and arts reporter. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @zazaliciousone
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