Chronicle Editor
Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
RHUMBA musician Madlela Skhobokhobo of the Ngamnanka uSamaMoe fame has his eyes set on the Pelandaba Stadium in Gwanda as he hopes to fill the venue on December 23.
The show will be a way of thanking people from his hometown who, according to him, have been supporting his music career that has been flourishing. As such, he has dubbed the event Madlela Day.
The artiste will, however, not go it alone as he has invited fellow artistes Jeys Marabini, Sandra Ndebele, Nkwali, Martin and Ndolwane Super Sounds, Zinja Ziyamluma, Themba Boyoyo and Khuxman among many others to assist him in his quest.
Entrance has been pegged at $3 with Madlela saying they want the event to be affordable.
“We want people to come in their numbers and hopefully, fill up the stadium in Gwanda, my hometown. We’ve tried by all means to lower the entrance fee in order for the locals to attend the event,” he said.
The show, according to Madlela, is meant to demonstrate his appreciation to fans that have stood with him this whole year. “This show is for us to celebrate the love and appreciation that people have given me this year. It’s been overwhelming as I won a couple of accolades at the Bulawayo Arts Awards and also now, I’ve been nominated for the Skyz Metro FM awards.” Famed for his axe act, Madlela, who was based in South Africa for years and returned back home this year, said the support locally had been overwhelming such that he stopped performing across the Limpopo.
“A lot of artistes have bemoaned the fact that people from our country do not support them. As for me, I’ve seen that people slowly, but surely, are changing and starting to appreciate our music.
“So great has been the support that I’ve even relocated here and stopped performing in South Africa which has been my base for years,” said Madlela.
After the Gwanda show, Madlela will take his act to Nkayi in Skhobokhobo, the place from which his stage name is derived.
derick.khumalo