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Zimbabwean superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, on Friday and Saturday evening kick-started the summer festivities in Bulawayo and Esigodini as he put up a sterling performance at both venues.
The show, organised by Jabula Power Promotions, and dubbed “The Summer Party” featured Tuku alongside Peter “Young Igwe” Moyo and the Utakataka Express, and Derrick Majaivana and the Zulu Band.
The first show was held on Friday at the Amphitheatre in Bulawayo and Tuku showed why he is the best and most celebrated musician in the country, as he belted out tune after tune from his 53 albums.
Tuku, Young Igwe and Derrick were holding their debut shows at the second venue Jabula Inn, Esigodini, that has become known for bringing life into the area, with live performances from Zimbabwe’s legendary musicians.
Performing in front of a crowd of about 1 000 fans in Bulawayo, Tuku led them in singing songs like Nhava, Neria, Tozeza Baba, Hear Me Lord, Madiro and Hero, to mention but a few.
Fans who attended the show were, however, disappointed because Tuku was on stage for two hours at both venues. In Bulawayo he entered the stage at about 12.15am and was off stage at 2.30am. The same situation prevailed in Esigodini as he got on stage at about 12.45am and ended his show at 2.15am. Due to the high cover charge, there were fewer people than expected in Esigodini as there were about 150 people at the show.
However some said the Tuku show lived up to its billing and if he should hold a comeback show they would attend.
Other fans travelled from Bulawayo to Esigodini to watch the superstar because they had missed the show while others wanted to see him once more.
“Yesterday (Friday) I missed the show so I decided to drive here to watch him. I must say the old man is not that old on stage, he is surely a superstar,” said Trynos Hove, from Selborne Park.
On Friday, another fan said she was glad to have attended the show and it was a good time for her to spend with her friends.
“Today we decided to go out as girls and it was not that bad. In fact we had a lot of fun and Tuku made our night worthwhile. This is how summer is supposed to start, we in a festive mood already before Christmas,” said a fan who only identified herself as Tafadzwa.
Tuku, during his performances at both shows proved that age was not a hindrance, as he would lead his group, the Black Spirits, in some instances in highly energetic dances.
As he did so Tuku was greeted with wild cheers from the crowd at both events, who appreciated his stage performances. Leading with his acoustic guitar, Tuku took fans down memory lane as he sang Mbombera and delighted the crowd with his famous cough.
At both shows the sons of musical icons Lovemore Majaivana and the late Tongai Moyo gave a good account of themselves.
Derrick opened the show and sang renditions of his father’s hits such as Siyay’ Wela Ingulukudela, Ngivulele, Ingwe bani, Sono Sami, Esambeni and Angila Mali, among others. Some in the crowd were of the opinion that with a bit more support Derrick could make a name for himself like his colleagues, such as Young Igwe, and Sulumani Chimbetu.
Young Igwe performed at the end of the show and also did renditions of his late father’s hits. The young Utakataka Express front man has taken a leaf from the late Igwe, as he is now able to dance with the group.
Revellers commended Jabula Power Promotions for promoting local acts.
“Local promoters should promote our local guys. That is the only way that our local musicians can grow and make a living. So we would like to commend Jabula Power for being one of the few that do so,” said a fan.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter