Live band only for Zahara show

Standard People
BY MELISSA MPOFUZimbabwean music lovers are getting fed up with foreign musicians that use backtracks at their shows. This is not the case with Zahara who will be performing at the Harare International Conference Centre on March 2. 

Organisers of the upcoming concert featuring South Africa’s latest pop sensation, songwriter and guitarist, Zahara (real name Bulelwa Mkutukana) have assured fans the show will be a live band affair.

Also featuring at the show are local musicians Chiwoniso Maraire, Victor Kunonga, Diana Samkange and Prudence Katomeni Mbofana.The event, which is dubbed “Feel Good Concert” is being organised by May 7 Entertainment.

The promoters revealed the musician would jet into the country on March 1 accompanied by a 10-member band.

One of the organisers of the event Max Mugaba told StandardLife&Style they had decided to host Zahara because of her huge fan base in Zimbabwe.“Zahara is quite popular in Zimbabwe so we decided to give her fans an opportunity to see her performing live,” he said.

He added that they were also planning of hosting another concert in Bulawayo as Zahara has a bigger fan base there.

“We are still negotiating with the right authorities and if all goes well, Zahara will stage another show in Bulawayo on March 3,” he said.

The talented Eastern Cape born and bred 23-year-old singer and songwriter has taken South Africa’s music scene by storm with her 12 track album, Loliwe (‘train’ in the Xhosa language) with hit tracks, Loliwe a mid-tempo song which features former Big Brother Africa Housemate Luclay, and Lengoma which features her producer, DJ Sbu. Other tracks on the album are Umthwalo, Xa Bendingena Mama, Ndize, Inwad’encane, My Guitar, Thekwana, Away, Brand New Day and Shine.

The album which went platinum, just 13 days after its release last year is a mixture of neo-soul and Afro-pop sounds.

So far, Zahara who is signed under TS Records has scooped various awards, performed at international events, has featured on Nhlanhla Nciza’s DVD.