The Sunday Mail
Jah Prayzah,
The season of festivals is upon us! From mega musical events like the Tuku and Friends September spectacle to themed parties and school festivals, the merrymaking summer season has, indeed, kicked off.
In Zimbabwe, August is synonymous with get-together events associated with traditional beer brewing in the village, appeasement of ancestral spirits and visiting of graves or tombstone unveiling ceremonies.
At the national level, August is the month that the country remembers its heroes and heroines, with a special holiday, the Heroes Day, held every second Monday of August every year.
It is the biggest bira, celebrated in all the country’s 10 provinces from the biggest towns and cities to the tiniest village.
However, with the advent of Western culture, most gatherings are now just commercial, with various festivals cropping up every year, regrettably poorly thought-out events.
But behold, a new unique festival has descended upon the capital — the Pork and Music Festival 2015, which is set to take place on August 21 and 22.
The inaugural Pork and Music Festival took place in Chivhu last year and saw star performer Jah Prayzah, the evergreen Suluman Chimbetu and dancehall star Tocky Vibes entertaining hundreds of festival-goers.
This year’s festivities, which take place at Pamuzinda Ice & Fire over two days, will feature Jah Prayzah, Peter Moyo, Air Force Brass Band and DJs Phathisani Sibanda, Lionel Mkandla (aka Rai) and Godfrey Gweje.
With beer and wine festivals dominating most such carnivals or fiestas — a pork festival is certainly refreshing.
According to the organisers, braai packs will be given away for free to hundreds of attendees while tens of live porkers will be kept in a pen for viewing, especially by kids.
Jah Prayzah, his team and the DJs are set to take to the braai stands in chef uniforms to roast and serve lucky fans.
“While the first day of the festival, a Friday, will see Jah Prayzah and Peter Moyo serenading music fans, meat lovers are also in for a treat as the Swine Company is set to parcel out braai packs to the first 100 paying revellers,” said Jackie Gwangwadza, a spokesperson for the organisers.
With Jah Prayzah currently on fire and Peter Moyo, the Young Igwe, drawing multitudes who want to hear him sample new material from his upcoming album, the Friday leg of the festival is set to be a thriller. However, it is the Saturday show that resembles a proper festival.
Gwangwadza said while Jah Prayzah and the DJs will be braai masters on Saturday, with kids being treated to jumping castles, pony rides and clowns — “the idea is for people to enjoy their meat with music”.
“This festival is for us to showcase the best of what the humble pig has to offer. From pulled pork rolls, pork belly, crackling, bacon tastings to every pork dish one can dream of, our trained, innovative and experienced chefs make it,” boasted Gwangwadza.
She added: “On the 22nd of August it is the Family Fun day. It will be packed with lots of fun and entertainment, the gates at Pamuzinda Ice & Fire, open from 11am, with kids entertainment galore including jumping castles, pony rides, a mini pen of live pigs for the children’s entertainment, clowns and many other exciting activities for the children and family. The first 100 people on Saturday will also get free pork braai packs with compliments from the Swine Company.
“The afternoon live entertainment on Saturday will be ushered in by the Air Force Brass Band followed by DJs Phathisani Sibanda, Lionel Mnkandla and Godfrey Gweje.
“The evening revellers will dance the night away to a surprise dancehall combination that will be announced closer to the date,” said Gwangwadza.
