Online Reporter
Nodumo Moyo [email protected]
BULAWAYO is set to host the inaugural Southern Africa Finest music showcase on October 17 at a leisure spot in the city, bringing together artistes from Zimbabwe and South Africa in a bid to position the city as a regional entertainment hub.
The showcase will feature South African artistes Shenge Wase Hlalankosi and Jiki Jiki alongside a strong local lineup that includes Madlela Skhobokhobo, Mxolisi Mr Bones, Maqedimbuzi and Malunga Brothers, Mark Ngwazi, Ndux Junior, La Dee, Godolude Eze Energy, Zhezhintongs and Fab G Mtshana Kagogo, among others.
According to promoter Nqobizitha “Nqoza” Ncube, the event was born out of a desire to challenge Bulawayo’s perceived exclusion from major regional entertainment tours while creating a platform capable of attracting international acts to the city.
“The vision behind Southern Africa Finest was to reposition Bulawayo as a regional entertainment capital. We asked ourselves – why should Bulawayo always be left out of major Southern African tours? We have the audience, we have the culture, we have the talent. So we decided to build our own,” he said.
Nqoza said the event was designed to go beyond entertainment, with organisers hoping to stimulate the local economy while creating opportunities for Bulawayo artistes to interact and perform alongside established regional acts.
“Southern Africa Finest is not just a concert, we are bringing together some of the finest artistes from Zimbabwe and South Africa onto one stage to showcase unity through music and to prove that Bulawayo can host an event of international standard,” he said.
“What we hope to achieve goes beyond entertainment. We want to stimulate the local economy from sound and stage companies, to hotels, to vendors. We want to give our Bulawayo artistes a platform to network and perform alongside regional giants, and most importantly, we want to create a sustainable annual property the young people can be proud of and that puts Zimbabwe firmly on the regional festival calendar.”
For Zimbabwean artiste Madlela Skhobokhobo, sharing the stage with fellow creatives presents an opportunity to celebrate local talent while encouraging audiences to support homegrown artistes.
“It is always a pleasure to share a stage with fellow creatives especially my own seeing them on such platforms warms my heart because I know they are equally capable,” he said.
Madlela said he hoped Zimbabwean artistes would eventually headline major platforms on their own, supported by stronger appreciation from local audiences.
“I think in a few years to come we need to see our own artists holding it down on their own and our people appreciating them,” he said.
Nqoza said the success of the inaugural edition would not be measured by ticket sales alone, but also by the quality of production, the event’s contribution to the city and the relationships forged between artistes, audiences and potential sponsors.
“I will consider this inaugural edition a success if, first, the production is seamless – artistes deliver, sound and stage are world-class, and our audience feels they got true value for their money,” he said.
“If we walk away with a happy crowd, a safe event with no incidents, and a clear demand for Southern Africa Finest Season 2, then for me, that is success,” he added.
