Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari, Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
Zimbabwe’s Afro-fusion songbird and style icon Feli Nandi is enjoying a well-earned moment in the spotlight as her brand continues to grow beyond borders, from the vibrant valleys of eSwatini to the buzzing streets of Johannesburg, and soon, the cultural stages of Germany.
Last weekend, Feli made a memorable mark at the MTN Bushfire Festival in eSwatini, performing at one of Africa’s most prestigious music festivals. Held in the lush Malkerns Valley from May 30 to June 1, the 18th edition of the event brought together artistes from across the globe, and Feli held her own among them, proving once again that her hard work is paying off.
Sharing the stage with the legendary Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a five-time Grammy Award-winning ensemble, and South Africa’s powerhouse vocalist Thandiswa Mazwai, Feli demonstrated the same professionalism and passion that have propelled her from local acclaim to continental demand.
Speaking through her manager, Connie Mazani, Feli expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity.
“It was amazing to learn from such pros, their professionalism is world-class. But the biggest moment? Feeling the love from fellow Zimbabweans in the crowd. That support was everything,” she said.
Mazani highlighted that Feli’s high-energy set captivated the audience from the first note to the last.
“This is a major milestone. Bushfire is one of Africa’s biggest festivals, and being part of it opens so many doors. These festivals feed into each other, so this is just the beginning,” she added.
This year’s Bushfire Festival was a celebration of cultural diversity, featuring artistes from all over the world. Alongside Feli were Mozambican genre-benders 340ml, Taiwanese sensation ABAO, Grupo MAVICHI from South America, and a strong line-up of eSwatini’s local stars including Heal N Keys, Khole, and Young Zesh.
Zimbabwe also made waves on the Corona Firefly Stage, with Charisse C representing the country alongside cutting-edge DJs such as Kenya’s Coco Em, Switzerland’s Bony Fly, and South Africa’s own DJ Lag, Oscar Mbo, and Lady Zee.
But the Bushfire blaze is just one leg of Feli Nandi’s journey. In August, she will headline an intimate show titled “A Night with Feli Nandi” at the Hard Rock Café in Sandton, Johannesburg, further solidifying her footprint in the South African market.
She is also scheduled to perform in the United Kingdom in September when the all-women event Doek and Slay makes its Hertfordshire debut. Come October, the globetrotting star is expected to perform in Germany at the Moto Moto Festival, where she will join forces with fellow Zimbabwean talents Mwenje Mathole, Mary Annibal, Mokoomba, and Awa Khiwe.
The singer-songwriter’s success is not confined to the stage. Feli recently made headlines when she dressed Namibia’s first-ever female President, Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, during a diplomatic visit to Zimbabwe. The President personally requested a custom Vaskana VeMarokwe outfit from Feli’s acclaimed fashion label, a gesture that speaks volumes about her growing pan-African influence in both music and style.
Feli is also winning in the culinary world. Her traditional cuisine restaurant in Harare continues to attract food lovers, celebrities, and cultural enthusiasts, becoming a popular spot for those seeking an authentic Zimbabwean experience in an elegant setting.
From sold-out shows to international gigs and growing businesses, Feli Nandi’s journey shows how her talent, hard work, and authenticity are taking her to new heights.
