Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
Award-winning Afro-pop musician Bhila is considering taking his Bhila Live in Concert show to Gwanda following a successful performance at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo earlier this month.
The musician has a growing following in the Matabeleland South’s mining town, where he has endeared himself to fans through his collaboration with Gwanda-born artiste Kaykid Umfanomsotho on the song Emaweni.
Bhila recently took to social media to express his interest in staging a concert in Gwanda before the end of the year, with the proposed show dependent on attracting at least 200 people.
“Gwanda, are you there? I am bringing my live performance to you before year-end. Bhila Live in Gwanda. We just need 200 people to make it happen. I promise you a beautiful evening of good music. More details are coming soon,” he said.
The proposed concert follows the success of the second edition of Bhila Live in Concert, which was held at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on 2 October.
The event brought together musicians from across the region, attracting a crowd that celebrated the diversity of Matabeleland’s music scene.
The line-up featured Aphiwe and Sobancane, Vusumuzi Mnkandla, Butholezwe, Kaykid Umfanomsotho and Fly, and Fab G Mshana KaGogo. Their performances set the tone for Bhila’s headline act, with audiences singing along to familiar hits and dancing to the music.
Bhila delivered a set that included Ithemba Lami Livela Kuwe, alongside other songs from his catalogue and unreleased material.
The Gwanda show, if confirmed, would give fans in the mining town an opportunity to experience the musician’s live performance closer to home.
