Byo snubs Green Concert

Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
SOUTH African artistes seem to be having a torrid time pulling crowds to their shows as yet again Bulawayo revellers shunned another show, this time Zahara’s. The songstress was the star attraction on Saturday evening during the Green Concert All Ladies Affair with Diana Samkange, Cynthia Mare and local dance queen Sandra Ndebele.

Empty seats greeted the artistes as only about 200 fans were present to watch the show that was held at the 5,000 capacity Amphitheatre.
The concert was aimed at raising environmental awareness and funds for the Tsholotsho and Tokwe-Mukorsi flood victims.

This trend started with a visit by Generations star Winnie Modise aka Khethiwe two months ago when fans did not turn up to interact with her at a local hotel.  Only 50 people attended the show and it later emerged that only 12 people had actually paid.

Last month Kwaito star L’vovo Derango came to Bulawayo with high expectations that his show held at Stop Over Bar would shut down the Trade Fair week in song and dance.

Alas only about 200 fans attended the show and promoters had to reduce the entrance fee from $10 to $5 in a bid to get people to enter the venue.
On Saturday night Bulawayo did not come out again although for a worthy cause as by 11PM it was clear that there was no one else that was going to come for the show and Mare went on stage to perform.

Those who were selling cold beers did not help the mood.
Only a few people were brave enough to buy the alcoholic beverages as some in the crowd were saying a person who would have sold them coffee and tea would have made a killing.

The only beneficiary of the cold weather was a vendor selling roasted maize cobs outside the venue, whose cart-full was sold out by the end of the show.

However, the small crowd did not dampen the mood of the female musicians as they gave a good account of themselves.
As Zahara went on stage in high heeled shoes and her trademark Afro hairstyle, she was greeted with wild cheers from the crowd.

The South African artiste played mostly tracks from her new album Phendula that won the Best Selling Album Award and Best RnB, Soul and Reggae at this year’s South African Musica Awards (Samas).

From her new album Zahara performed tracks such as Phendula, Ngokwakho, Bomi Endibizayo among others.
Fans were heard clamouring for Thekwane from her multi award winning album Loliwe.

Zahara sang Loliwe, Destiny, Umthwalo, and Incwad’encane featuring a South Africa-based Zimbabwean artiste George Munets. Those who wanted Thekwane were appeased by the track Nelson Mandela which pays tribute to the late Tata Madiba whilst celebrating his accomplishments.

A male fan could not believe his luck as he was asked to join Zahara on stage to sing the Shona version Incwad’encane.  He did it with great aplomb and became an instant star in his five minutes of fame.

Female fans were not to be left out as they also invaded the stage with one of them seizing the moment and taking a selfie on stage with Zahara.  Zahara then left the stage into the crowd and danced with fans thereafter and left the stage at 1.15AM.

Cynthia Mare who was the opening act was the pick of the local acts as she gave a lively and interactive performance that got the crowd in the mood.

Her songs, a fusion of Afro-pop and Zimbabwe traditional music made her the best act from the Zimbabwean women.
Fans made the effort to dance as a way to keep warm during the show and Cynthia also increased tempo with songs like Zuva Rimwe in which she prays for another day with her late mother to show her how much she appreciates her.

Next up was Sandra Ndebele who also did her best to keep the crowd on its feet with her fast paced music.
Her six dancers comprising four girls and two boys were up for the task as their dance antics left some in the crowd in stitches loving every moment they were on stage.

Mbira songstress Diana Samkange came on stage just before Zahara and also impressed with her trademark Zimbabwean traditional songs.
The Kumagumo Erudo hit maker gave a mature, mellow feel to the show as she performed just after Sandra Ndebele.

Samkange showed her nimble fingers when she played the mbira on the stage.