Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
AFRO-POP musician “Bhila”, born Patriarch Manyabi, has long wished to stage a major concert under his name and attract hundreds of followers.
That long-held dream became a reality on Sunday, when he managed to sell out his first-ever concert, which was held at the Bulawayo Theatre.
Bhila sold 290 tickets, an “excellent” achievement for a young artiste pushing himself with no sponsorship or endorsement.
His fans in the diaspora went above and beyond to support him by purchasing 40 tickets for giveaways. Their gesture ensured that even those who could not afford the entrance fee attended the show.
The event kicked off at 6PM with Imbube group Ihawu leSizwe opening the night with a smooth Isicathamiya performance as fans trickled into the venue.
Next on stage was Gwanda-bred artiste Kay Kid Mfanomsuthu, who set the pace for the night with his exceptional stage management skills. He performed songs from his catalogue, including Inhliziyo, Amawala, Vuma Ngiyoy’ Landa and Ithemba Lami.
After Mfanomsuthu’s 30-minute set, Afro-Soul songbird Lewanika M took to the stage. Her smooth, angelic voice captivated the audience as she delivered soothing music that spoke straight to the heart.
At 7:30 PM, the man of the moment, Bhila, took over the stage backed by a full live band, a sign of his readiness to give fans value for their hard-earned money. He portrayed maturity in his performance, balancing his vocal prowess with the rhythms of the band so effortlessly, as if he had been performing with them for years.
Bhila’s set featured hits such as Wamuhle, Emaweni, GP, and a few unreleased tracks, including Nomathemba, Jikela and Waze Wamnandi.
On the sidelines of the concert, Bhila expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans both locally and abroad, who pushed him to realise his dream.
“The show was well-received, and people were happy to be part of it. What made the night lovely was that they all knew most of the songs, which gave me the energy to deliver more on stage,” he said.
“I’d like to extend my gratitude to all those who supported me in making my dream come true. I also appreciate my producer, Godwin Smalls Ndlovu, for helping me create music cherished by my fans.”
He encouraged his fans to keep their eyes and ears open for fresh music soon.
