Online Reporter
Sipepisiwe Moyo, [email protected]
The National Youth Day celebrations held at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo on Friday showcased the immense talent of Bulawayo artistes, who formed the majority of the event’s line-up. Their performances captivated the diverse audience, proving their ability to entertain large crowds.
The event featured stellar performances from Insimbi ZeZhwane, Godolude, Ma9nine, Noluntu J, No Name Dance Crew, and Mzoe7. Each act contributed to making the celebrations unforgettable with a variety of musical genres that resonated with the audience.
Excitement was high among the youth, who not only enjoyed the day’s activities but also appreciated being recognised as the future of the nation.
In a show-stopping performance, Noluntu J left the crowd breathless. The young singer took to the stage with confidence and charisma, delivering a set that left everyone on their feet. Her performance was a masterclass in energy and enthusiasm. She performed her hit songs “Ispoko” and “Moko”, which had the crowd singing along and dancing to the infectious beats. Her outfit, a stunning denim jumpsuit paired with flying hair, added to her overall stage presence, making her a joy to watch.
Government officials present at the event were equally impressed, rising to their feet to give Noluntu J a standing ovation after her performance.
“I was overwhelmed by the response,” Noluntu J said in an interview after the show.
“It was my first time performing before such a huge crowd, and I didn’t know what to expect.”
Despite admitting to initial stage fright, Noluntu J credited the other artistes who performed before her for helping to calm her nerves and warm up the crowd.
“The other artistes really helped me to relax and get into the zone. By the time I got on stage, I felt like I was ready to take on the world. I defeated my stage fright and gave it my all.”
As soon as Mzoe7 stepped onto the stage, he commanded attention, demonstrating his widespread popularity among young people nationwide. His surprise performance followed an outstanding act by Ma9nine, further igniting the crowd’s energy.
Dressed in his signature trendy attire, Mzoe7 was joined on stage by the No Name Dance Crew, whose eye-catching outfits creatively fused workwear with contemporary fashion. Their dynamic performance left the audience in awe, particularly students who were thrilled to witness Mzoe7 live.
Alice Mukombe, a student from Bindura University, expressed her excitement, saying, “I always watched Mzoe7’s music videos on Channel O, and I never imagined I would see him perform live. He is truly talented — one might even mistake him for a South African artiste. He’s the best I have seen in his genre.”
Melusi Hlabangana, a student from St Columbus in Bulawayo, described the event as his best Youth Day celebration yet.
“I enjoyed all the performances. As someone passionate about music, this event really showed me that there’s a future in the arts. This was the best Youth Day ever,” he said.
After his set, Mzoe7 spoke on the importance of supporting the arts, highlighting how many individuals have found purpose and livelihood within the industry. He also stressed that artistes serve as cultural and tourism ambassadors, sharing Zimbabwe’s heritage, fashion, landscapes, and stories with the world through various artistic expressions such as music, visual arts, poetry, and dance.
Other notable performances came from Rhumba artistes Godolude and Insimbi ZeZhwane. Godolude and his team delivered an engaging performance, captivating the audience with their impressive dance moves.
However, Insimbi ZeZhwane’s performance, which followed shortly after, faced challenges. A noticeable drop in sound quality affected their set, although the technical issues seemed isolated as other acts performed without difficulties. The audience only fully re-engaged when the group performed “Child Abuse”, popularly known as “Jeremiah”.
Overall, the National Youth Day celebrations were a resounding success, with Bulawayo artistes proving once again that they have what it takes to shine on major platforms.
