Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
IF the misty, majestic peaks of the Eastern Highlands could dance, they would still be swaying after last Sunday.
The Ladies Summer Wind Down, staged at the breath-taking Vumba Gateway Gardens, was more than just an event — it was a show-stopping triumph that shattered expectations.
Against the odds of fickle mountain weather and logistical hurdles, crowds poured in, stunning even the most optimistic organisers.
What unfolded was a dazzling celebration of music, fashion, and unity — proof once again that Zimpapers Mutare, the force behind The Manica Post and Diamond FM, knows how to deliver world-class experiences that etch themselves into Manicaland’s social history.
From the moment the first revellers streamed through the gates, it was clear this year’s edition had outgrown its predecessor. The lush lawns of the gardens, usually a sanctuary of birdsong and silence, exploded into a kaleidoscope of colour, sound, and joy.
Hundreds of stylish guests, draped in “all shades of brown,” transformed the venue into a living canvas of caramel, bronze, chocolate, tan, and mahogany. The crisp mountain air, perfumed with eucalyptus, jacaranda blooms, and dew, carried the buzz of excitement.
Friends embraced, photographers snapped magazine-worthy shots against sweeping views of the Mozambique border, and local entrepreneurs proudly showcased their wares at bustling exhibition stalls.
The atmosphere was electric from the opening chords, and the sonic architects of the day ensured the voltage never dipped.
Upcoming musician, Retlaw, who opened the floor, shocked many with his electric performance. No doubt he has a promising musical career. He jumped on stage around 12-midday, and managed to warm up the stage with some danceable songs.
The ZPCS Manicaland Band came next with some crisp, disciplined, yet soul-stirring set. Their tight brass arrangements and smooth harmonies served as a perfect, vibrant appetiser, warming up the crowd and setting a high standard for the musical feast to come. They wowed fans especially with cover songs.
Then came the moment the faithful had been waiting for. Baba Harare, the self-styled jit maestro and conqueror of stages across the nation, took to the platform with the swagger of a returning king.
Clad head-to-toe in striking red apparel that seemed to glow like an ember against the mountain’s emerald backdrop, he was a vision of fiery energy and showmanship.
He jumped on stage at exactly 5pm. For close to two hours he held the thousands in the palm of his hand. His fingers danced across the guitar strings with virtuosic ease, unleashing a torrent of crowd favourites that sent shockwaves of rhythm through the audience.
He performed songs such as “Nairobi – Mombasa”, “Rita”, “Ndini Ndinaye” and “Rese” among others. Every chord was a call to arms for the dancers. The “all shades of brown” theme became a swirling, joyful vortex of movement as revellers, young and young-at-heart, lost themselves to the relentless, celebratory beat. The very mountains seemed to nod along.
However, as the sun began to dip lower behind the craggy peaks, casting long golden and amber shadows across the gardens, a new chapter of the night was spectacularly written.
The Terrible Twins stole the show.
Stepping onto the stage after Baba Hahare’s marathon set, the duo injected a raw, modern, and irresistible adrenaline into the proceedings. Their synergy was flawless; their beat drops were perfectly timed; their energy was infectious.
They turned the serene, misty garden into a pulsating nightclub under the canvas of a starry sky, seamlessly blending contemporary anthems with authentic local flair. It was unequivocally their night.
Theirs was a performance that will be spoken about in Mutare’s social circles, at water coolers, and on Diamond FM request shows for months to come.
Technically, the event was a flawless masterpiece of production. The PA system was razor-sharp and perfectly balanced. Every kick drum thumped joyfully through the chests of the attendees, while every lyric remained crystal clear, carried perfectly by the cool mountain air without a hint of distortion or feedback. Not a single beat was missed; not a single microphone faltered. It was a sound engineer’s dream.
As the final, triumphant notes faded into the cool Vumba night, an exhausted, but exhilarated Eunice Sibanda, one of the organisers of the event, took a moment to survey the magical scene. With a beaming smile that reflected the joy of the thousands present, she extended a heartfelt thank you to the community that made it all possible.
“We are absolutely overwhelmed by the love and support from Mutare and beyond. The people came in numbers, they dressed the part, they brought the energy, and they left their worries at the gate. We promised a platform for relaxation, networking, and enjoyment, and looking at the smiles on everyone’s faces, I can confidently confirm that people had a lot of fun,” she said.
As the shuttle buses ferried the last of the happy, tired, and foot-sore dancers back down the winding, moonlit Vumba roads, one thing was certain: The Ladies Summer Wind Down has cemented its place as the premier lifestyle event of the Eastern Highlands. The mountains may be quiet again, but the echoes of this glorious day will linger in memory until next summer.
