Online Reporter
Langalihle Mhiti
LADY Storm has appealed to local promoters to give homegrown rhumba artists an opportunity to perform alongside Congolese stars.
She claims local talent is being overlooked despite the growing popularity of the genre.
Her call comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s entertainment calendar has seen a noticeable increase in Congolese rhumba acts being booked for major festivals and concerts.
Awilo Longomba is set to perform at the Kadoma Music Festival.
Koffi Olomide has been lined up for Doek and Slay while Yondo Sister will headline this year’s Ecobank Legends Night.
The growing presence of Congolese performers has sparked debate among music lovers and local rhumba artists.
Some are questioning whether Zimbabwean musicians are receiving enough opportunities to share the stage with internationally acclaimed acts.
In an open letter addressed to local promoters, including Doek and Slay, Ecobank Legends Night and The Odyssey Kadoma, Lady Storm thanked organisers for investing in rhumba music and bringing renowned Congolese performers to Zimbabwe.
“I would like to sincerely thank you for the great initiative of bringing our fellow rhumba artists from the DRC to Zimbabwe.
“Your work is helping to revive the rhumba culture and giving fans a chance to experience authentic live rhumba,” she said.
Lady Storm acknowledged that local musicians have much to learn from the visiting stars, saying the international bookings have reignited interest in the genre.
“It’s beautiful to see and we are learning a lot from it,” she added.
However, the singer urged promoters to include Zimbabwean rhumba acts on the same line-ups, arguing that sharing the stage with experienced Congolese musicians would help develop the local industry. “I kindly ask that in your next line-ups, may you also consider including local Zimbabwean rhumba artists on the same bill.
“Sharing the stage with our brothers from the DRC would be a huge opportunity for us to learn, exchange ideas and grow the rhumba scene here at home together,” she said.
Lady Storm also assured event organisers that local performers are ready to contribute to the success of major concerts.
“If called upon, we are ready to support, collaborate and deliver quality performances that will make your events even bigger,” she said.
The discussion has also raised questions about changing trends in Zimbabwe’s live entertainment industry.
For years, South African artists dominated festival line-ups, largely driven by the explosive popularity of Amapiano.
However, some entertainment observers believe promoters are increasingly looking towards Congolese rhumba as audiences embrace live bands and classic African sounds.
Others have suggested that recurring tensions affecting foreign nationals in South Africa may also be encouraging promoters to diversify the international acts they bring to Zimbabwe, although organisers have not publicly linked their booking decisions to that issue.
Despite the debate, Lady Storm made it clear that her appeal is not against Congolese artists but rather a call for collaboration.
“What about us local rhumba artists? We are missing on the forthcoming gigs headlined by rhumba artists.
“Please consider us next time,” she said.
Her plea has resonated with many followers of Zimbabwe’s rhumba scene, who believe pairing local musicians with Congolese legends could help strengthen the genre, expose emerging talent to larger audiences and create lasting partnerships that benefit both countries’ music industries.
As Zimbabwe continues to host some of Africa’s biggest rhumba names, local artists now hope the next wave of concerts will also shine a spotlight on the country’s own ambassadors of the genre.
