Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
THE much-anticipated Bosso@100 Roast has been rescheduled to September 25 at the Bulawayo Large City Hall, with organisers promising an evening of comedy, nostalgia and tribute as Highlanders Football Club continues its centenary celebrations.
The comedy show, organised by Umahlekisa Comedy Club, was initially scheduled for August 21 as part of Highlanders’ year-long centenary celebrations. It was postponed following the death of Highlanders Football Club patron Jimmy Ncube on August 18, as the Highlanders family mourned the veteran club patron.
The roast will combine comedy, football culture and nostalgia as the club’s 100-year journey is revisited through jokes, banter and storytelling.
Highlanders, popularly known as Bosso, was founded in 1926 and is marking its centenary with a series of activities.
Umahlekisa director Ntando Van Moyo said the panel had been carefully selected to include people with a deep understanding of the club’s history and culture. The panel includes Zimpapers senior reporter Sikhumbuzo Moyo, veteran modelling instructor and former Miss Highlanders Sipho Mazibuko, Sportsgrind founder and host Buhlebenkosi Ncube and Zimbabwean-Hollywood actor Tendai Humbasha Maduwa. Other surprise guests include passionate Highlanders supporters who are expected to join the panel.
“We’re ready to host the show. We’ve managed to craft a panel comprising Bosso loyalists who know the ins and outs of the club, the wins and losses, the glorious moments and the challenges that have shaped Highlanders over the years,” said Ntando Van Moyo.
He said the roast would celebrate Highlanders’ contribution to Zimbabwean football and communities while poking fun at some of the club’s memorable moments.
“Roasts are about celebration. We’ll be celebrating a football giant that has given Zimbabwe countless memories over the past 100 years. There’ll be jokes, banter and storytelling, but all of it will be done in honour of Bosso and its remarkable contribution to football and community development in Zimbabwe,” he said.
The event will also feature music, dance, fashion and poetry.
The comedy outfit has partnered with Zimpapers Digital to livestream the event, giving Highlanders supporters in Zimbabwe and the diaspora an opportunity to follow the celebrations. Van Moyo said the livestream would also provide businesses with an opportunity to reach a wider audience through advertising.
“Zimpapers is a leading media house. They’ve done very well in keeping up with the new digital and social media trends, something that made us collaborate with them in livestreaming the event.
“This move was inspired by the motive to accommodate millions of Highlanders supporters from all over the world to join us as we celebrate this milestone.
“Zimpapers has more than one million readers and viewers; hence this is also a great platform for businesses and companies to utilise this opportunity to advertise their products during our livestream and reach a much greater audience.”
Turning 100 years has, however, been marked by grief for Bosso, with the club losing several officials and supporters in recent months. In July, club chairman retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe, vice-chairman Fiso Siziba, treasurer Nkani Khoza and supporter Mbalenhle Sibanda died in a road accident while travelling from Kariba to Bulawayo. The club later lost its long-serving secretary, Sihlalisiwe Mnkandla, followed by Ncube’s death in August. Six Highlanders supporters also died in a road accident near Filabusi Centre in August when the kombi they were travelling in collided with a stationary tipper truck.
Van Moyo said the deceased would be honoured during the roast.
“We have lost many of our people at Highlanders, including our recent tragic loss of our executive members through a road accident. We will dedicate a segment to them at the roast to pay our respects as we remember how much they contributed to the growth and maintenance of Highlanders,” he said.
Umahlekisa has previously hosted roasts featuring personalities such as Sandra Ndebele, Novuyo Seagirl and Bulawayo Mayor Councillor David Coltart. The comedy outfit is among the pioneers of the roast format in Zimbabwe, using humour to celebrate personalities and institutions while reflecting on their journeys.
