Bongani Ndlovu
Zimpapers Reporter
ZIMBABWE has found itself caught in the crossfire of South Africa’s biggest Maskandi rivalry after Mthandeni SK appeared to take a swipe at long-time rival Khuzani Mpungose — from a stage in Bulawayo.
The drama unfolded over the weekend as Khuzani was being crowned the Best Maskandi at the Metro FM Music Awards back home, while Mthandeni was across the border headlining the Harris Music Festival on Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Zimbabwe.
Mthandeni posted a video on TikTok moments before taking to the stage, captioning it: “international live performance” — complete with Zimbabwean flags.
The clip shows the artiste and his crew making their way on stage to a thunderous reception, with thousands of revellers erupting into cheers — a moment many fans have interpreted as a subtle but pointed jab at Khuzani.
While Khuzani was collecting silverware on home soil, Mthandeni appeared to be sending a different message: that his influence stretches beyond South Africa’s borders.
What is clear is that Zimbabwean fans — particularly those at the Harris Music Festival — have now been pulled into a feud that has largely played out in KwaZulu-Natal.
Videos from the event show a packed crowd singing along and welcoming Mthandeni with deafening applause, effectively positioning Zimbabwe as a new front in the ongoing “king of Maskandi” battle.
As has become typical in the Mthandeni–Khuzani saga, fans were quick to draw battle lines, Mthandeni’s camp hailed the Bulawayo performance as proof of his international pull while , Khuzani’s supporters pointed to the Metro FM win as official recognition on a national platform.
The rivalry between the two Maskandi heavyweights has long been fuelled by competition for dominance, fan loyalty and bragging rights.
But the Bulawayo episode adds a new layer — turning Zimbabwe into a symbolic stage where one artiste can measure success not by trophies, but by crowd reception beyond home borders.
Online Reporter