Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari-Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
WITH the clock ticking down to Friday, Feli Nandi is embracing the fear, the pressure, and the dream.
The music diva admitted that headlining ‘A Night with Feli Nandi’ is a “very major move” and a steep challenge she set for herself.
“This is something that we’ve never done. Am I scared? Of course I am,” Feli said.
“But the only way to grow is to get out of your comfort zone. I look at this as a challenge because I’m also challenging myself. This is bigger than me.”
The singer, who wrapped her nationwide Road to Fill Up HICC tour with full houses in Mutare, Masvingo, Gweru and Chegutu, said the support from fans has been refreshing.
“We were scared. We didn’t know if people were going to support us but we’ve been getting amazing support. Whether we feel it or not, the bold step of wanting to do it I think for me that’s a win,” she said.
Feli, who previously filled up Seven Arts, revealed fans should expect all her previous collaborations performed live, plus “a few exciting tracks” she will release after the HICC show.
She also teased collaborations with female artists and hip hop acts, but kept names under wraps.
“I have a collaboration with a few female artists. I also have a collaboration with a hip hop artist.
“I don’t want to name her because I think she wants it to be a surprise,” she added.
She revealed that Takura won’t be able to perform as he has a show in Beitbridge but “he’ll be on the phone the whole day saying you can do it Sisi.”
The concert will also be recorded for a live DVD.
The concert features a star-studded supporting line-up including Ex-Q, Baba Harare, Tamy Moyo, Mwenje Mathole, Victor Kunonga, Kurai Makore, Fusion 5 Mangwiro, and In Total Band.
It will be hosted by media personalities KVG and Tariro Gezi. The In Total Band say it’s an honour to be part of the historic event. Band member Ndomzi said the group has performed with Feli before in the UK and is excited to “come back home and celebrate her music.”
This will be their first time share the stage locally.
“As In Total Band we always promise you the best. So come expectant. We’re taking you way back in time. We’ve had a chance to perform with her several times . . . and it’s beautiful to actually now celebrate her music together with her.”
When asked about possible on-stage collaborations, Ndomzi kept fans guessing: “I’ll keep it as a secret for now because there’s so much in store there might be something brewing as we spoke.”
Historically, the HICC has been the exclusive playground of legendary male heavyweights and multi-genre festivals. The late Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi regularly packed the auditorium.
Winky D made the HICC his home turf for major New Year’s Eve shows. Despite Zimbabwe’s rich history of powerhouse female vocalists – from Stella Chiweshe and Chiwoniso Maraire to Fungisai Zvakavapano and Ammara Brown – the live music landscape has long suffered from structural inequalities. Female artists face steeper hurdles in securing lucrative corporate sponsorships, prime night time slot bookings, and sustained media airplay.
Historically, female musicians have performed as featured acts or co-headliners alongside male powerhouses rather than as solo concert drivers at top-tier venues like the HICC.
