Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]
Soulful musician Maluka, Reggae sensation Mandie Mae, songstress JustLeo and wheel spinners Nizhe De Soul and Kotwane Hikwa have joined Msiz’kay on the line-up for this year’s Jacaranda Music Fest.
The Bulawayo-based artistes will represent the City of Kings at the three-day music extravaganza, which runs from October 2 to 4.
Jah Prayzah will headline the opening day, sharing the stage with Andile Brown, Tamy Moyo, The Travellers Band, DJ Young Vibes and Brze.
On the second day, Maluka, Msiz’kay and Kotwane Hikwa will perform alongside Sylent Nqo, Feli Nandi, Njelic, Mr JazziQ, Calequi Y Las Panteras, Nasibo, Junior Spragga, Spirit Chronicles, Taku Made The Beat, DJ Tatz Bless and Mwendamberi.
The final day will feature JustLeo, Nizhe De Soul and Mandie Mae alongside Zes Nxumalo, Cairo, Fusion 5 Mangwiro, Minister Michael Mahendere, DJ Young Vibes, Thando Lewandoski, MJ The DJ, Enhle and Mookomba.
Festival director Walter Wanyanya said preparations for the event were progressing well, with the organisers putting the final pieces together ahead of the festival.
“Preparations are going very well. At this stage, everything is starting to come together, production, artistes, partners, logistics and all the different experiences we’re building around the festival.
There’s always pressure as we get closer, but that’s part of putting together an event of this size. The team is focused and we’re excited about what we’re creating this year,” said Wanyanya.
He said that Jacaranda has always been about representing Zimbabwean music as broadly as possible.
“There is incredible talent coming out of Bulawayo and other parts of the country, and we don’t want the festival to feel like it belongs only to Harare. As Jacaranda grows, part of our responsibility is to use the platform to introduce audiences to new artistes.
“For me, a festival shouldn’t only book artistes because they are already big, sometimes the festival must help create the next big name. That’s how we grow the industry and that’s an important part of what Jacaranda stands for,” said Wanyanya.
—@mthabisi_mthire
