VICTORIA Falls will this April burst with Zimbabwean pride as festival goers throng the resort city for a feast of music, drinks and dance.
JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA
Dubbed “Africa’s most exciting and adventurous music festival”, the 10th edition of the Victoria Falls Carnival is expected to add excitement to what may already have been interesting Easter festivities as visitors and top performing artistes from South Africa and Zimbabwe share the stage.
Organisers have put together an array of performers ranging from DJ Maphorisa, Kabsa De Small, Sha Sha to Master KG as headline acts for the three-day jamboree. Indeed, these are some of the heavy hitters of amapiano and those who will attend will have a whale of a time.
The festival begins on Friday 29 April with Grand Opening night featuring performances by amapiano kings and queen – DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small and Sha Sha.
It will be a night to remember, with live Afrobeats and amapiano setting the stage for a carnival atmosphere.
DJ Maphorisa aka “Lord of Hits”, is a South African DJ and producer behind many club bangers.
He is one of Mzansi’s most famous exports, credited with co-producing Drake’s ”One Dance” and has also crafted hits for international acts like Major Laser, Jason Derulo, Trey Songz, Wizkid, Runtown, Davido and Vanessa Mdee.
On the other hand, Kabza De Small is a phenomenal South African DJ and record producer often referred to as the “King of Amapiano”. He is considered the best-selling amapiano artiste. Kabza De Small (pictured) is one of the pioneers of the genre.
At the 27th South African Music Awards, he received three nominations, namely Album of the Year, Male Artiste of the Year and Best Amapiano Album.
Sha Sha is a Zimbabwean singer hailed by many as the “Queen of Amapiano”. She has gained popularity through collaborations with amapiano producers such as DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small. In 2020, Sha Sha was awarded Best New International Act at the BET Awards. Her last album Blossom has dominated dance floors across the country.
On Saturday 30 April, after a fun-filled day in the Victoria Falls National Park, which offers an array of adventure activities, revellers can dance the night away with Jerusalema hitmaker Master KG and a host of other top artistes during the Electric Safari Experience.
Master KG is a multi-award-winning South African record producer. He is known as the pioneer of Bolobedu dance. In 2020, his song Jerusalema, went viral online and earned him International Song of the Year at the NJR Music Awards held in France. He was also named Best African Act at this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards.
The curtain comes down on the Victoria Falls Carnival on Sunday 1 May with a Secret Picnic Bush Party. Festival goers can expect laid-back vibes with various live acts on the day, as well as delicious local cuisine and craft brew.
What better way to celebrate the last day of the carnival experience than with a Sunday feast?
But those who cannot make it to the Victoria Falls Festival need not to despair as the Mapopoma Festival Easter Special edition will be running from 15 to 17 April.
This year’s theme is: “Local is Lekker” and the line-up features mostly top Zimbabwean artistes including Jah Prayzah, Holy Ten, Mzoe7, Enzo Ishall, Muffia King and Feli Nandi.
Jah Prayzah is a multi-award-winning singer, performer and composer known for his contemporary beats. Backed by the Third Generation Band, he is one of Zimbabwe’s top musicians with a discography that includes popular collaborations with Davido, Jah Cure, Patoranking, Mafikizolo and Diamond Platnumz, among others.
The show is put together by DollarBill Entertainment with support from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority under their domestic tourism campaign known as ZimBho.
Feli Nandi is perhaps one of the fastest-rising musicians at the moment, having been nominated for a National Arts Merit Award for Outstanding Female Musician. She is a regular at Theatre in the Park in Harare where she holds sold out concerts.
This year’s Easter holidays look set to thrill holidaymakers and music lovers as there is plenty to enjoy!
