Tich Mharadze, owner of the Odyssey in Kadoma and promoter of the Kadoma Music Festival 2025 held on October 11, must have saved himself at least US$25 000 which is required to secure the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).
At the recently held Kadoma Music Festival, which hosted Jamaican musicians , Busy Signal and Christopher Martin, together with local artistes, Alick Macheso, Feli Nandi, Winky D, Freeman, Julian King and Kurai Makore there were more than 4 500 concert attendees. That number exceeded the capacity of the HICC. The idea to move the concert to the small town of Kadoma where the venue was owned by the festival promoter was a brilliant decision. US$25,000 is not a small amount considering that HICC’s maximum carrying capacity is only 4 500.
The dilemma facing most .music promoters is a lack of less expensive and sufficient venues within the capital to host major music events such as the one mentioned above. The HICC was used only for the press conference by the artistes before the festival, which was held in Kadoma.
In the past promoters just managed to break even when they hosted such events at the HICC. For instance large concerts such as Joe Thomas in 2008 and Oliver Mtukudzi’s Greatest Hits Concert in 2014, Jah Prayzah’s album launch in 2015 and various festivals and album launches, including the Harare International Carnival (2014) and Winky D’s album launches in 2018 and 2019. Winky D aka Wallace Chirumiko, wanted to hold New Year’s eve concert 24/25 at the HICC but this did not materialise.
There was controversy when businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei allegedly secured HICC for a New Year's Eve event in late 2024, displacing Winky D’s annual concert although Winky D had allegedly booked the venue as far back as May 2024. Tagwirei reportedly paid a substantial fee to host a gospel concert by Everton Mlalazi causing public outcry and accusations of political interference. Winky D had booked the HICC for his New Year’s Eve concert but was reportedly outbid by businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei and displaced. This proved that money is power. Politics is also power. Due to this offer to pay more money for the same venue, Winky D’s annual crossover concert was cancelled, leading to public backlash and accusations of political interference. Tagwirei reportedly secured the venue for a gospel event organised by Everton Mlalazi, for which he allegedly paid US$245,000.
Some reports claim the event was blocked due to Winky D’s music, which contains social commentary that could be seen as critical of the government.
However, whatever the reason, Winky D found alternative venues which were less expensive and still managed to draw crowds.
The question is “Will Winky D ever go back to the HICC?’’
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Winky D’s management team is known to plan events well in advance. We are only two months away from New Year’s eve. Will he go back to the HICC or will he find an alternative venue? We are waiting to see what happens.
The HICC built in 1986 is an events venue in Zimbabwe, known for hosting major events in the country. The venue is at the Rainbow Towers Hotel (The Sheraton) administered by Rainbow Towers Group.
However, this venue has proved to be quite expensive for even top Zimbabwean artistes. I remember talking to Oliver Mtukudzi in 2018 why he did not do more regular shows at HICC. His remarks were: “It’s too expensive. Even if you fill it up charging US$10 per person, you only make US$45 000. They even charge you a deposit for damages which you don’t get back if there are damages to their furniture or infrastructure. You still have to pay musicians and all the staff, the P.A. system and for publicity. If you charge the music fans more, they are bound not to attend the show given the economic challenges faced by many Zimbabweans. You end up with nothing. I am going to look for alternative venues like my own Pakare Paye instead.”
Now the HICC has allegedly been marred by political interference. Its hiring charges as seen above have been overtaken by who is the highest bidder.
Lack of professionalism here is evident.
If I came with a million dollars to hire the venue (a stupid business idea anyway) for a specific date which has already been booked for another event, also depending on the amount of political clout that I hold, it is possible that the latter event will be cancelled depending on the amount paid and what my standing in society is.
I am reliably told this is what happened in the case of Winky D.
Event organisers and music promoters are looking around for alternative and cheaper venues. There is a piece of unused land next to the HICC which was destined for parking of combis. This scheme was abandoned because the combi drivers boycotted it.
However, this land could be used to build a music venue which is less expensive than the HICC if some business people can be persuaded to take on this idea. The venue doesn’t need expensive furniture like the HICC or other expensive infrastructures like offices and private rooms..
Most of the people who attended the Kadoma Music Festival came from Harare. Some came from as far as Mutare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Masvingo. It looks like Harare and other smaller towns need alternative music venues. The Kadoma Music Festival has proved this as Kadoma was on fire on the 11th instant.
Festival organisers of the Kadoma Music Festival say the event aimed to promote unity through music while stimulating business growth in Kadoma.. If that can be done in Kadoma, it can also be done in the capital of Zimbabwe and elsewhere.
Event organiser Prince Mharadze said the Kadoma Music Festival, which has previously hosted artistes such as Jah Prayzah , Diamond Platinum and Makhadzi continues to grow in influence.
“This year we wanted to go bigger by bringing in Busy Signal and Chris Martin to headline the show. It’s not just about music--it’s about boosting the local economy and putting Kadoma on the map,” he said.
The Kadoma Music Festival which took place at Odyssey with crowds reaching over 5 000 became one of the biggest musical events of the year.
There was music for everyone with Alick Macheso and Kurai Makore pulling the older and mature audiences. Kurai Makore and his band played Thomas Mapfumo’s music. He called himself “Mwana we Gandanga” as he opened his set with Mugara Ndega.
US-based Zimbabwean artist Julian King surpassed all expectations with his Kadoma performance. It was electric, well-planned, creative and executed with top-tier professionalism.
Felistus Winnie Chipendo, better known as Feli Nandi also wooed the enthusiastic audience with her soulful voice in tunes such as Nguva, Makandivhikira and Vakaita Sewe. She did well.
Chris Martin who had just learnt a bit of Shona backstage from Freeman such as Ndinoda Musikana Uyo showed it off on stage later. He did well.
The fans excitedly ran towards the stage when the Gafa aka Winky D, donned in all white outfit, drew the younger crowds when he performed Drink Up, a new song he released together with Busy Signal just before the concert.
This show at the Odyssey proved that promoters need a bigger venue in every town than the HICC which is expensive to hire and only holds up to 4,500.
Tich Mharadze and his team has shown us the way.
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