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Zahara

Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
A great outing, smoothing rhythms and an appreciative mature crowd made Zahara album launch held at 7 Arts Theatre over the weekend worthwhile even the showers that pounded the capital Harare prior to the show could not deter music fans from thronging the venue.
South African singer Zahara shared the stage for the second time in two years with Zimbabwe’s music icon Oliver Mtukudzi while Tariro NeGitare curtain raised for what became a thrilling night of music and dance.

Tariro who is slowly weaving her way up the music ladder did not disappoint the highly expectant crowd. she delivered a flawless performance and warmed up the stage for Mtukudzi to his legion of fans.

The huge turnout must have excited not only the artistes but also the promoters who by now must be smiling all the way to the bank.
Imagine, the VIP was selling at US$100 per head.

An early highlight was the Black Spirits fronted by Tuku on acoustic guitar and vocals.
Each time he played a song the cheers grew louder . The granddad of music took fans back-and-forth mixing old and new songs.
From early hits in the 1970s to “Tuku Music,” the 1998 album which ushered in a new creative era for Tuku which shows no sign of stopping.

Dressed in a pair of black jeans and a matching shirt with Zimbabwe’s national flag colours and scalp hat, the lanky singer did not spend most of his time singing at the microphone but also got down to dance.

But he treated the audience to plenty of his trademark twing-twang acoustic guitar.
That he looked exhausted is not news but he was on point and loved every minute of the show. And he ended his act with “Tozeza Baba”.
True to form, Zahara got on stage to a rapturous applause.

She opened her set with a new song but surprisingly the audience sang along. At one point the crowd went into a frenzy after Zahara born Bulelwa Mkutukana performed “Loliwe”.

However, her playlist was dominated by songs from her 2011 debut “Loliwe” which features the hits “Lengoma”,  “Incwad Encane” featuring Zimbabwe’s own George Munetsi, “Ndiza” and “Umthwalo”.

Zimbabwe is fast becoming Zahara’s home and those who could not be at 7 Arts Theatre caught up with her at ZimCafe Hotel for the After-party.