Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu, Deputy Echo Editor
It is high time Bulawayo’s talent was exported, not just to the diaspora, but across Zimbabwe, to cement the city’s status as the nation’s cultural hub.
The just-ended Bulawayo Arts Festival (Baf) provided the perfect platform for local artistes to showcase their craft, and Thursday night’s Imbokodo Concert was one of the festival’s standout performances in recent years.
Featuring six stellar acts, Matojeni Melo Maniacs, Albinism Konnect Music Band, Luchi Shiki, Novuyo Seagirl, WeCreate, and Lemoniq, the women set the stage alight, delivering a well-coordinated, unforgettable show.
Dedicated to celebrating women in music, the Imbokodo Concert was more than just a talent showcase; it was a cultural statement, one that honoured Bulawayo’s roots while pushing its artistic legacy forward. The performers sang, entertained, and connected with the audience, commanding the stage with such energy that the crowd could not help but respond. This is the kind of experience Zimbabwe needs, not just through social media livestreams, but in person.
The Imbokodo Concert should tour the country, allowing more people to witness the rich talent displayed on stage. From powerful, soulful vocals to soothing lyrics and expertly arranged Afro-Jazz beats, there was something for everyone, all seamlessly backed by a tight house band.
These hidden gems, which shine during festivals and cultural events, deserve broader recognition. They have much to offer Zimbabwe’s music scene, and their artistry should be celebrated nationwide.
The stage setup was nothing short of brilliant. Designed to resemble a traditional rural pole and dagga hut, the lighting and structure created an immersive atmosphere, transforming the venue into a symbolic cultural space. In African tradition, such huts are powerful emblems of women’s roles in society, representing artistic expression, social organisation, and the depth of female knowledge and spiritual power. The Imbokodo Concert brought these themes to life, not just through the performances, but through the stage itself, which embodied the essence of womanhood and how music is used as a vessel for expression, heritage, and identity.
WeCreate opened the night with a stirring spoken-word piece that set the tone. Luchi Shiki added a gritty hip-hop edge, injecting energy and rhythm into the show. Novuyo Seagirl captivated the audience as she teased a track from her upcoming LP, while Lemoniq commanded the stage with presence and passion, pulling the crowd into her sonic world. Albinism Konnect closed their set with a powerful performance that left the audience enthralled.
When Matojeni Melo Maniacs took to the stage as the final act, the audience was already primed for a thrilling performance. Led by three captivating female vocalists, Thandy Dhlana-Jele, Cheryl Mabaya, and Gugulethu Sibanda-Ncube, with male instrumentalists on box guitar and congas, the group encapsulated the essence of the concert. Their Afro-Jazz and Afro-Pop rhythms, blended with melodic harmonies, had the crowd singing and dancing along.
The crowd, already in the dizzying heights of enjoyment, joined the group on stage as the grand finale of their performance, showing off and imitating some of the traditional dance moves like isitshikitsha.
This all-women concert was a significant step in uplifting female artistes, proving they can hold their own. Much like Women, Words and Wine, a highlight of the Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo, and Songs of Lozikeyi — a music production that was a hit at the 2021 Baf, the Imbokodo Concert demonstrated that when given the opportunity, women deliver excellence.
The performers not only showed up, they shone. There’s no excuse for sidelining them in the arts industry.
That’s why this concert must travel beyond Bulawayo. It’s not just about showcasing the city’s culture, it’s about proving that its women can take their talent nationwide. Good music transcends language barriers; fans will hum along regardless.
Imagine this concert in Harare, Victoria Falls, Mutare, Masvingo, Beitbridge, or Chegutu. Exposure is key, these artistes need fans, and their music deserves to be heard.
The Imbokodo Concert should not just be held at Bulawayo’s Large City Hall but should also tour the city’s 29 wards, giving residents a chance to experience these phenomenal live performances. Watching online is no substitute for the real thing. Zimbabwe deserves to feel this energy first-hand. And before we talk about international tours, let’s start at home.
Next time the Imbokodo Concert is announced, audiences should flock to it, especially since it’s free during the Bulawayo Arts Festival.
The Imbokodo Concert should not just be a once-off experience in Bulawayo, it deserves to tour the whole of Zimbabwe.
In fact, all the talented artistes from the city should venture beyond its borders to share their craft across the country. There is ample space for creatives in every corner of Zimbabwe, and audiences nationwide deserve the chance to hear, see, and celebrate such remarkable talent.
