Online Reporter
Nodumo Moyo [email protected]
Musician Mxolisi “Mr Bones” Ndlovu is already setting his sights on a bigger and better Rhumba All White after the inaugural edition drew a strong turnout and received an encouraging response from music lovers in Bulawayo.
The Rhumba All White was held on Saturday at Esibayeni, bringing together Rhumba enthusiasts for a night of live music.
The event was Ndlovu’s attempt to introduce an All White Rhumba experience to the local entertainment scene, drawing inspiration from similar events he experienced in South Africa.
The inaugural edition featured performances from Godolude and the Friendly Brothers, Insimbi ZeZhwane, Allen “The Ghost” Ndoda, Teekay Mxoexic and Zinjaziyamluma, while Maqedimbuzi and Happy Girl served as MCs.
Allen “The Ghost” Ndoda’s return to the local stage after a period away was also one of the highlights of the event.
Speaking after the show, Ndlovu said he was encouraged by the turnout and the performances, adding that the response demonstrated the appetite for a dedicated Rhumba-themed event.
“It was really good. People came in very large numbers in an amazing way. The artistes performed very well, people really gave us support,” he said.
Despite the success, Ndlovu admitted that staging the inaugural edition came with its fair share of challenges, particularly because preparations were done within a short period.
Securing the venue and putting the necessary infrastructure in place, including barricades and security, also proved challenging.
“There were things like the venue and getting the barricades to cover the place, and putting together security. As an event, it was challenging because it was the first one,” Mr Bones said.
However, the experience has given the promoter valuable lessons ahead of the next edition, with preparations already underway.
“Now that I have put everything together, I am already starting to plan for next year. Next year, I don’t want to struggle. These things were done within a short period of time and were not planned as properly as they could have been,” he said.
The All White concept remains central to Ndlovu’s vision, with the dress code adding a distinctive social and visual element to the Rhumba experience while encouraging patrons to embrace the occasion in style.
