The Sunday Mail
Takudzwa Chihambakwe
Hwange sizzles in October. And it is about to get hotter with dancehall superstar Winky D ready to raise temperatures when he headlines the Makomo Festival slated for Hwange Stadium on Friday.
The “Gafa Party” singer is among the most sought-after artistes in Zimbabwe and festival organisers, Eumo Promotions, are thrilled to finally have Winky D as one of their headline acts.
“All things are shaping up ahead of the seventh edition of the festival and we are super excited to have Winky D as part of the line-up of artistes billed to perform this year,” said Eumo Promotions spokesperson Eusabia Rayire.
She said Hwange’s younger inhabitants had for long wanted to Winky D in action in their town and this was their opportunity.
“Youths in Hwange, and even older people, will be delighted to see Winky D performing at the festival as he is always a marvel to watch live,” she said.
Besides the king of Zim dancehall, Leonard Zhakata will also have his debut performance at the festival on Saturday, alongside regulars Alick Macheso, the Charambas and Peter Moyo among others.
Rayire said since inception, the festival had grown in leaps and bounds in terms of both attendance and impact on the local economy.
“The festival is not just about giving the Hwange community quality entertainment at an affordable price, but it also immensely benefits the business community.
“Last year we had plus-5 000 people in attendance and we had many businesspeople setting up their work stations at the stadium and they managed to interact with the multitudes in attendance. Businesspeople make a lot of sales during the festival – some making super profits that would normally take them months.”
Another group that benefits immensely from this festival are the local acts.
“Each year we select three bands that we give the opportunity to perform to this mammoth crowd. They share the big stage with the crème de la crème of Zimbabwean music icons.
“By so doing they get to learn a thing or two and get to rub shoulders with the stars, which I believe gives them confidence,” added Rayire.
She said artistes and fans would also get to tour Hwange Colliery, where festival financiers Makomo Resources dig for coal.
“Over the years we have discovered that even the artistes are really interested in touring the mine and during this tour they also get to interact with their fans in a very unique environment that always leaves priceless memories about the festival.”
