Langalakhe Mabena

It’s the month of April and the annual Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) is around the corner with the exhibition fiesta set to run from 23 to 27 April.

Exhibitors from all over Zimbabwe, Africa and the world are looking forward to showcasing their products and services at the exhibition, which will also be characterised by a lot of entertainment for both locals and visitors.

On the nights of the exhibition, cocktail parties hosted by different companies play a crucial role in networking purposes among businesspeople from different sectors and walks of life.

There is also entertainment galore for everyone, be it businesspeople or the community of Bulawayo, which always accommodates people to shut down the ZITF week in style.

The Bulawayo Shutdown Party has become a force to reckon with in the local entertainment and showbiz sector as it has emerged to be a giant event over the years, attracting thousands of people, as they party and have fun while watching their favourite artistes perform on stage.

 

Organised by Harris/Continental Hotels and Entertainment, the annually-held event has gained momentum and has proven to be a trusted brand in making sure that people get the value of their monies through the show — in a city which now has “trust issues” over bogus promoters, who fail to fulfil simple promises like bringing the advertised artistes for a show.

For the past four years, Harris events have yet to disappoint as they have stayed true to their promises by bringing the expected creatives to perform for the masses.

This year, the gig returns with a stellar line-up with exciting Zim Dancehall Gaffer Winky D being the main act of the event which will take place at Queens Sports Club.

As if that is not enough, a number of artistes from the South of Limpopo have already confirmed to be part of the gig.

AmaPiano vocalist Aymos, Murumba Pitch, Emtee and Kwesta are some of the artistes from South Africa who will land in Bulawayo in the afternoon before the event.

To balance the acts, a number of Zim Dancehall creatives have been roped in and these include Chill Sports trio of Levels, Ribe and Fantan, Killer T, Godfather Templeman, Selector Tanaman, Enzo Ishall, Ma9nine, Bazooker as well as Hip Hop man of the Moment Saintfloew.

Bulawayo’s evergreen artiste Mzoe 7 will also be part of the performers alongside DJ Nospa, DJ Mzoe, and DJ Eugy. Female DJs in the names of DJ Fifi and Liz will also be among those who will rotate on the decks.

Jordan Dube, the manager of Harris Continental, who is also the event’s organiser expressed their ambition to deliver an unparalleled live entertainment experience.

“Our target is to make history through this event and that is why for the first time we have a line-up with four foreign artistes. These artistes’ works have become national anthems in this city and beyond and we want to celebrate them and make sure they link up with local artistes and maybe some collaborations might suffice.

“We have also managed to attract Winky D who has become a regular in our Bulawayo Shutdown gigs. We are also in talks with other artistes and once we finalise with them we will make announcements,” Dube said.