Online Reporter
Langelihle Dube, [email protected]
Bulawayo is coming alive this week as the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) brings its usual energy to the City of Kings. While business takes centre stage during the day, attention is shifting to the nightlife.
The city’s entertainment spots are busy as visitors and locals unwind, connect and continue conversations started at the fair.
To close the week, the Bulawayo Shutdown, now rebranded as the Harris Music Festival, will take place on Saturday, the public day of the fair. The event has become a regular finale to ZITF, drawing crowds looking to wrap up the week with music.
This year’s show will be headlined by Winky D, who returns after performing at the December edition and previous editions. He will be joined by local acts Msiz’kay, Tiff, DJ Sfiso, Prince Eskhosini and DJ Eugy, with MTKay Ntwana as host.
The event also features several South African artistes, giving it a regional feel. Makhadzi leads the line-up as she celebrates her 30th birthday and continues her return to the stage after a car accident last year.
Kamo Mphela will also perform alongside Scotts Maphuma, while NaakMusiQ brings Afro-house and Mthandeni SK adds a Maskandi element.
Other performers include Cowboii, Tracy, Thukuthela, Jazz Worx and GL Ceejay, completing a line-up that blends established and rising acts.
There has been debate online about whether the event is still the traditional Bulawayo Shutdown or a new concept. However, organisers say the aim is to grow it into a bigger cultural highlight for the city by combining local and regional talent.
Event organiser Tonderai Rice said preparations are at an advanced stage.
“It’s all systems go. Some of the performing artistes from South Africa will start arriving in Bulawayo on Friday afternoon, with Mthandeni SK leading the pack, while the rest will arrive on Saturday.
“The city is really buzzing, and advance ticket sales are moving more than our previous editions. This has led us to secure parking for vehicles at nearby places to ensure that attendees are not inconvenienced in any way,” he said.
With strong interest and growing anticipation, Saturday’s show is expected to draw a large crowd.
