Online Reporter
Langelihle Dube, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Nexus Rooftop was already buzzing on Friday night, long before the night’s headliner, South African house and Amapiano sensation MaWhoo stepped on stage. By sunset, the Bulawayo hotspot was already teeming with mostly youthful revellers, dressed for a night promising something memorable.
Opening the evening was local DJ Dosto, who eased the crowd into the festivities with a warm, steady set. DJ Liz followed, gradually lifting the tempo and drawing people closer to the stage, shifting the atmosphere from casual mingling to eager anticipation.
Hip-hop took centre stage next, with rapper Noluntu J delivering a spirited live set. Despite a few hiccups on stage, she commanded attention and proved once again that the city’s hip-hop scene is thriving.
FFF Molfy then pushed the energy higher with a mix of local and international hits that had the crowd singing along. But the night shifted gears when DJ Eugy stepped behind the decks. His set was an experience — nostalgic classics, dance-floor favourites and moments that sparked spontaneous dance circles. It was easily the standout DJ set of the event.
Enter Mzoe 7, who burst onto the stage with his dance crew, transforming the rooftop into a full-blown performance arena. Their sharp choreography and effortless transitions set the perfect tone for the main act.
When MaWhoo finally walked in, the venue erupted. The atmosphere tightened instantly as she took the mic and rolled out her hits — Amazwe, Bengicela, Uzizwa Kanjani and her viral maskandi-infused anthem Gucci. The rooftop turned into a united choir, with the audience echoing every line. Confident, relaxed and fully in command, she moved with the ease of an artiste who knows her power.
Dressed in denim shorts and a matching top, MaWhoo looked comfortable and stage-ready, her outfit complementing a set that relied more on presence and connection than theatrics. While some critics muttered about lip syncing, the crowd’s reaction told another story; her charisma alone carried the night.
After her performance, she lingered in the venue, smiling for photos and chatting with fans, something increasingly rare for visiting artistes who usually disappear backstage.
As the night deepened, veteran DJ and 2025 Bulawayo Arts Awards nominee Nospa Chekaz kept the momentum going. When he dropped Jah Prayzah’s runaway hit Ruzhowa, the crowd exploded into screams, before he took them through another round of favourites that kept the party alive into the early hours.
By the end of it all, it felt like Bulawayo had hosted more than a show. Every performer added their magic, but MaWhoo’s presence sealed the night, leaving patrons buzzing as they streamed out.
The following morning, MaWhoo shared photos of herself relaxing in bed, captioned: “. . . I really enjoyed Zimbabwe, in Bulawayo,” a nod to the warmth she experienced in a city famed for its hospitality.
Londile Moyo