Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
WHEN artiste Mzoe 7 declared he would stage his own one-man show, many doubted he could pull it off. Some said the dream was too ambitious; others warned he would go broke trying. But on Saturday night, at a packed Bulawayo Theatre, the Entumbane-bred star proved them all wrong.
With just 12 songs and 1 hour 30 minutes of pure artistry, Mzoe 7 reminded the city why he is one of Bulawayo’s finest — a performer with vision, grit and unmatched creative drive. His one-man show, I Am Who I Am, was more than just a concert; it was a personal triumph.
“It wasn’t easy. Some people never believed I could pull this off. I knocked on so many doors, and at one point, I almost gave up. A friend even told me I’d go broke trying because the daily expenses were too much. But I knew my dream — I had to make it real,” Mzoe 7 admitted.
Behind the glitz of the show was a story of sleepless nights, sacrifices and meticulous planning. Mzoe 7 shared how he and his team, led by Rasquesity Keaitse, spent weeks crafting a movie-style production never before seen in Bulawayo.
“We planned and shot great content, rehearsed tirelessly, and built a performance from scratch. KMartin helped create the sound design for the event. We had to cater for over 40 people daily, pay for transport, rehearsal spaces and dancers. It was costly, but worth it.”
The singer also credited his physical and mental preparation for the show’s success.
“I even went on a strict diet to lose 20kgs so I could perform at my best. At one point, after Babongile Sikhonjwa passed away, I wasn’t mentally okay, but I had incredible emotional support from people like Ras, Nonsi Tshabangu, Bravancy and Oliver Keith,” said Mzoe 7.
Support also came from abroad, with Noni from the diaspora assisting with marketing materials and covering much of the bill. AlphaGrill restaurant catered for the team, while Mavusana and Kruger helped with logistics and co-ordination.
The show itself was a spectacle. The Bulawayo Theatre foyer buzzed with arts and music personalities from across Zimbabwe and South Africa, including Mlue Jay, Oriyano, Raisedon Baya, Saimon Mambazo Phiri, Novuyo Seagirl, TH Moyo and many others.
Mzoe 7 opened with a soulful performance of Kunzima Sometimes, paying tribute to the late Babongile Sikhonjwa and Desire “Moyoxide” Moyo. From there, he navigated a diverse repertoire, including Afro tracks like Umjolo, 3Step rhythms in Emoyeni Wami and the sultry Afro house track, Chipwilikiti.
His wardrobe was a show in itself: his first outfit, designed with Klobber Fusion, combined animal skins, bird feathers and vibrant fabrics to celebrate cultural heritage. The second featured a muted base with bursts of colour symbolising hope, while the third, a striking red ensemble by local designer Ofresh, reflected his roots in the Entumbane ghetto.
The audience erupted during crowd favourites, from the kwaito hit Good Mood to the show-stopping Angisalal’Ekhaya featuring Macala. He closed with a remix of Jaycee Rappadict’s Ungayithi Vuu and the Amapiano hit Othengayo, leaving fans chanting and dancing long after the show ended.
In just 1 hour 30 minutes, Mzoe 7 conquered the stage, proving that he could turn a bold vision into reality.
“I put my heart into this show, and seeing the support from the people of Bulawayo meant everything. I did it not just for me, but for the city that raised me,” he said. — @mthabisi_mthire
