Online Reporter
Langelihle Dube, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THE seventh edition of HiNDE, a celebration of culture and house music, arrived with high expectations: a bigger crowd, a sharper line-up and an experience worthy of the brand’s growing reputation.
Weeks before November 29, organisers were already reporting heightened engagement for the Bulawayo event, with ticket demand surpassing last year’s levels and social media activity reaching new highs. Some ticket tiers sold out days ahead of the event, clear evidence that the city was ready.
When the day finally came, HiNDE delivered exactly what had been promised. The venue filled up quickly, packed with early ticket holders who had anticipated the rush. Fashion made its own statement — loud, bold and unmistakably Bulawayo.
Local clothing brands such as Descendants of Africa and Dejavu had standout moments, riding the momentum of rising support. With food trucks, merchandise stalls, gaming stations and electronics exhibitors, the venue transformed into a lively festival village, buzzing with movement, conversations and music.
The musical journey began with Phantom Serge and Datboifresh warming up the space. DJ AshT followed, carrying the crowd through soulful house favourites before handing over to Kotwane Hikwa, fresh from securing his first Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA) nomination for Best Club DJ. His set was crisp and energetic, a clear sign of an artiste on the rise. He later passed the decks to South Africa-based producer and BAA Outstanding Music Producer nominee Murphy Cubic, whose set brought a wave of groove and punch that lit up the venue.
The crowd roared when MJ Sings, also nominated for two BAAs, stepped in to perform Asibe Mnandi, sending the venue into a collective dance. His golden voice did not disappoint.
Harare’s Samuel Cosmic kept the energy burning. His remix of HiNDE by Nitefreak and Idd Aziz, released just a day before the event, landed like a homecoming anthem.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. MC of the day, Bryce DJ Klassiq, called for a blackout and phones lit up. It was at this moment that Nitefreak walked on stage.
The HiNDE founder and curator delivered more than a set — he narrated the story of the brand through music. He opened with beloved classics before transitioning into his own catalogue: Gorah featuring Emmanuel Jal; Wherever
You Are with Vidojean and Oliver Loenn; and Kamili featuring Francis Mercier and Idd Aziz. When he dropped Black Coffee’s remix of Not the Same, the crowd surged with energy.
The peak arrived when he played Masterclass featuring Roland Clark, now a fully-fledged anthem at house music gatherings not only in Zimbabwe, but globally.
Thereafter, South Africa’s Jazzworx and Thukuthela entered the stage with the same dramatic blackout-and-flashlight effect used for Nitefreak.
Their performance was playful and explosive, DJing, dancing and engaging the crowd with ease.
Thukuthela delivered an acoustic performance of Vuka featuring Oscar Mbo, with the audience singing every word.
Their set moved through tracks from their new album The Most Wanted, stirring joy, nostalgia and emotion. They closed with Uzizwa Kanjan featuring Mawhoo, a moment many will remember for some time.
Speaking after their set, they said: “We had a great time performing in front of the people of Bulawayo. They have great energy and great hospitality.”
Nizhe De Soul closed the main event with cheers echoing his signature sound tag.
Even after his final track faded, the night continued into the official after-party at a local nightspot, which filled up immediately — so full that some attendees turned back upon seeing the queue.
Reflecting on his journey, Nitefreak acknowledged how far the movement has come.
“From the first edition to this one, it’s been hard and we’ve grown. We’ve had a few losses here and there, but we keep pushing. Our first HiNDE event was at a close friend’s house with just a few people. Now we’re drawing huge crowds,” he said.
Organisers had promised an unforgettable edition, teasing Jazzworx and Thukuthela while keeping the full line-up under wraps. On the night, they delivered precisely that. HiNDE 2025 was more than a show. It was a statement — a celebration of house music, culture, fashion, community and generosity. A reminder of how far the brand has risen and how much potential still lies ahead.
HiNDE has evolved into one of Bulawayo’s flagship annual events, a date people lock in well before the line-up drops. What began as a backyard gathering has expanded into a cultural movement that draws diverse crowds from across the city and beyond. The festival’s growth, fashion, atmosphere and identity have led fans to compare it to DJ Shimza’s Kunye Festival. While flattering, the comparison speaks less to imitation and more to how HiNDE has crafted its own ecosystem — rooted in home but connected to the global house scene.
This year’s edition also carried a deeper purpose with the launch of the Singabantwana Donation Drive, introduced in partnership with Bulawayo Exclusive Events (BEE) to support children at the Sandra Jones Centre.
“The donation drive came from the partnership with BEE and the thought of giving back to the community. The people who attend our events sacrifice their hard-earned money, so the best we can do is give back. That’s why we did it,” Nitefreak said.
