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THE brain child of Jeys Marabini, UGodlwayo Yithi Music Festival lived up to its billing on Saturday, 3 November as acts played to a near full house.
This was the second instalment after the successful hosting of last years’ inaugural edition. Last year the festival had acts like Madlela Skhobokhobo, Clement Magwaza, Progress Chipfumo, Zinjaziyamluma and Sandra Ndebele making the trip to Filabusi.
One would have quite easily have dismissed the 2018 line-up which was not as colourful as last year’s in terms of names, but no.
The people of Filabusi enjoyed every bit of the stellar performances.
I decided to make the trip to Filabusi so I could bear witness to the passion that the small town is supposed to have. I mean there is talk of big monies exchanging hands at the gold rich town.
I wanted to see the famous amakorokoza “eat” their amounts.
So I got there at 7pm, the sound could be heard from two kilometres away and the stage there was a proper set (real international standards).
The show started a little before 9pm but no one was worried because the DJ took the people on a Magwaza and Ndolwane journey playing hit after hit from the giant’s albums.
First on stage was Sisters Of Paradise, I really was worried for them as a gospel outfit.
They handled their own very well and entertained for a good hour with people even dancing to their up tempo gospel tracks.
After the sisters seasoned Gospel artiste Collen took to the stage to pretty much the same reception.
The toast of my short time there was a performance by a dance group called Action Movers.
They mix their house music dances with theatrics and boy, oh boy they had the audience in stitches and eating out of their palms.
Filabusi has a band called Insiza Express Band. Outside of that they took too long to sound check on an already sound checked stage.
They kept the locals on the dance floor with their rhumba music. I think it’s only proper to applaud Jeys Marabini for not importing all the talent and giving locals a platform.
Part of the travelling contingent had sons of Filabusi like Thuts Harsh Touch who is riding on his Highlanders album and is getting popular by the day and Indonsakusa who also hail from the gold town.
Notable performers included Jeys Marabini himself, Iyasa, Khuxman, Hwabaraty, Bhamuza, Gregory, Mkhosi, Ndwanguenkulu, Mageza and Qhathanzipho. Until next week, be safe.
derick.khumalo