Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
For hours, the mood at Pagomba Café in Beitbridge swung between excitement, frustration and disbelief as fans questioned whether South African Amapiano star Eemoh would actually show up.
What began as a festive Saturday soon became a night defined by growing doubt, and an explosive payoff in the early hours of Sunday morning.
By Saturday afternoon, the border town was already alive with activity as revellers soaked up the sun over cold beverages.
As per Beitbridge custom, more residents began trickling in around 6PM, not to enter the venue, but to buy tickets and return home, planning to come back only closer to midnight.
But with each passing hour, confidence slowly eroded. By 1 AM, the early excitement had fizzled into frustration.
None of the billed acts had taken to the stage, and whispers began rippling through the crowd: “Is Eemoh really coming?”
With no confirmation of his arrival in town, many believed the show would collapse without the Amapiano star ever setting foot on the Pagomba Café stage.
As tempers flared, violence broke out. Some fans began throwing objects onto the stage, forcing DJs and media personnel to seek brief shelter backstage. But the crowd still refused to leave.
In an effort to salvage the atmosphere, DJs Keitho, Vic Gee, and Sekuru Stavo kept rotating Amapiano, Dancehall and Maskandi, while MC Rich Flavour and Bazooka’s chanter worked tirelessly to hold the restless audience together.
Then came the unexpected twist that shifted the night’s momentum. Dressed in a sharp blue suit, Bazooka stormed the stage, instantly electrifying the venue with his hit, Kune time table yekum***.
His appearance reignited the crowd, drawing cheers and restoring a glimmer of hope. Some even began to believe the night could still be saved.
Moments later, the rumour everyone had been waiting for began to circulate: Eemoh had just crossed the Beitbridge Border Post. Hope surged again.
A VVIP area was hastily prepared, signalling that this time, the whispers might actually be true. The atmosphere shifted from doubt to anticipation.
When Eemoh finally walked into Pagomba Café after 3AM, chaos erupted, this time in pure excitement.
Fans stampeded forward, eager for a glimpse or even a touch of the superstar they had spent hours doubting would arrive.
Despite the exhausting road trip from South Africa, Eemoh was ready.
The lights dimmed, the crowd roared, and the Amapiano sensation hit the stage with Ngishuteni, Pherisha, Abangifuni and more.
The very audience that had almost given up on him was now eating out of his hand.
After a powerful 30-minute set, Eemoh joined fans in the VVIP area for selfies and fun, while local DJs kept spinning until sunrise. In an interview, Eemoh expressed gratitude.
“I’m happy with what I saw here. From the way the promoter ensured everything ran smoothly to when we reached the show, it was impressive.
“I salute the people of Zimbabwe, especially Beitbridge, for the love they showed us,” said Eemoh.
Not all acts lived up to expectations, however. Hulengende, of the Fadza Madzimai fame, failed to show up, leaving fans disappointed.
But the story of the night remained clear: a crowd that spent hours doubting Eemoh’s arrival ended up witnessing one of his most electric performances in the Matabeleland region. — @mthabisi_mthire
Bongani Ndlovu