Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo-Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
SCHOOL uniforms may have been ironed, books labelled and bags packed, but Zimbabweans clearly had one last assignment before the classroom bell rang — party!
The back-to-school rush may have dominated the weekend, with parents scrambling for stationery, shoes and the final essentials, but the entertainment scene refused to take a back seat.
From Harare to Mutare, it was fiesta, fiesta, fiesta! Music lovers squeezed entertainment into an otherwise hectic weekend, proving once again that Zimbabwe’s appetite for live shows remains alive and kicking.
And what made the weekend particularly interesting was the variety.
There was nostalgia, gospel, family, live music. And, importantly, there was a platform for established stars to share the stage with emerging talent.
If there was one show that turned back the clock, it was the Urban Grooves Festival held at Jongwe Corner on Saturday.
The line-up read like a soundtrack to an entire generation — Nox, Tererai Mugwadi, Roki, Mafriq, Plaxcedes, Maskiri and Madiz, among others.
The result?
A packed house filled with mature fans who came ready to relive the music that defined their youthful years.
This was not simply another concert but a reunion. For many in the crowd, the Urban Grooves sound represented school days, first loves, heartbreaks, fashion trends and the carefree years before adulthood came knocking. And the artists understood the assignment.
They were not performing for today’s TikTok generation alone.
They were entertaining people who had grown up with them.
The festival effectively rekindled an old romance between the Urban Grooves movement and its now-grown-up audience.
And perhaps the biggest talking point was Roki. Love him or question him, controversy has never been far from the artiste’s name, but when he stepped onto the stage, the music did the talking.
Roki remains an exceptionally talented performer, and the weekend was another reminder that the man’s artistic ability cannot simply be erased by the scandals and controversies that have followed his career.
He stood tall and the crowd responded.
That is the complicated beauty of entertainment — audiences may debate an artiste’s personal life, but they can still surrender completely when the music hits the right note.
While Harare was travelling down memory lane, Mutare found its own rhythm — a much more spiritual one.
Minister Michael Mahendere brought his Messiah Tour to the eastern border city, turning the weekend into a celebration of gospel, worship and musical fellowship. But the show was not simply about one man. Mahendere was joined by his brother, Pastor Misheck Mahendere, and the two delivered one of those moments that remind audiences that family bonds can be stronger than the pressures of the entertainment industry.
The brothers’ performance brought a genuine sense of bromance and brotherhood, proving the old saying that blood is thicker than water. There was no rivalry. No ego.
Just two brothers sharing a stage and celebrating their common musical and spiritual heritage.
Worshipper Larry Gunda also had a good day in the office, adding his voice to an evening that was clearly designed to feed both the soul and the ear.
Perhaps more importantly, Mahendere used the platform to promote young and emerging talent.
Acts including Tinashe Murigo, Prince Jacha, Cloris and Kush, among others, shared the stage, giving them an opportunity to perform before a wider audience.
That is the kind of industry development Zimbabwe needs.
Big names creating space for the next generation rather than keeping the spotlight permanently for themselves.
Then came Sunday, but Zimbabweans were clearly not ready to surrender the weekend. At Art Farm, the aptly named Sunday Service offered another eclectic musical experience.
It brought together an interesting mix of established musicians and DJs, with Jah Prayzah, Prudence Katomeni Mbofana and The First Born Tino among those taking to the stage. The presence of several disc jockeys ensured that the event moved beyond the conventional live-band format, creating a relaxed Sunday atmosphere where audiences could simply unwind before the working and school week began.
Jah Prayzah remains one of the country’s most reliable live performers, while Prudence Katomeni Mbofana brought her own seasoned musical touch.
The First Born Tino added another dimension to the bill, ensuring that the event appealed to different musical tastes.
If anything, this weekend proved that Zimbabweans have mastered the art of squeezing pleasure between responsibility.
Yes, schools are opening.
Yes, parents are counting every dollar.
Yes, uniforms and stationery need attention.
But apparently, there was still room for one more dance.
From the nostalgia-fuelled Urban Grooves Festival to the spiritual warmth of Mahendere’s Messiah Tour and the laid-back energy of Sunday Service at Art Farm, the weekend offered something for almost everyone.
And perhaps the biggest takeaway is that Zimbabwe’s entertainment industry does not need every event to be a mega-festival.
It needs good curation, strong performers, loyal audiences and opportunities for new talent.
