Ngoni Dapira

SUNGURA maestro Alick ‘Extra Basso’ Macheso last week Friday proved that he is still a brand and the darling of Zimbabwe’s music industry after he drew scores of revelers, young and old at Mandel Leisure Centre in Watsomba.

Dubbed the ‘MaRay Birthday bash’ in honour of the proprietor Lovemore Mandimutsira’s wife, Sylvia, who turned 40, the family show that started in the afternoon stole the limelight and drew a bigger crowd against a Killer T show that was in Mutare. Zimdancehall prodigy Killer T, whose real name is Kelvin Kusikwenyu, was at the Glow Bar at Golden Peacock Hotel promoting his latest album ‘Inzwai Kuchemawo Mambo’ released last year in September.

Killer T’s latest album released last year in September.

The ‘Hazvigone’ hitmaker who is popularly known as the Chairman in the dancehall circles and known to pull large crowds in the eastern border city, had a cover charge of US$5 which was half of the Macheso show cover charge. Nonetheless, even the 40 kilometres distance to Watsomba from Mutare was not deterrent for the Extra Basso fans who came in numbers compared to the low attendance at the Kileet T show which is just seven kilometres from the Mutare central business district (CBD).

This is regardless of the fact that Macheso last released an album in 2018. The perennial hit-maker has however been dropping singles such as the hit ‘Zuro Ndizuro’.

Alick Macheso’s lead dancer Selemani Mpochi, better known as Majuice (green t-shirt) joined Baba Harare on the stage during his performance and got the crowd ecstatic with his dance moves.

Macheso’s Orchestra Mberikwazvo entourage brought it’s A’ game and did not disappoint by hitting the correct chords and giving a lively performance. Whilst his yesteryear songs like Chengetai, Shedia, Tsiye Nyoro to mention a few, got the crowd ecstatic, his ‘unnamed’ tracks on his forthcoming album got rave reviews.

Macheso’s forthcoming 12th album is expected to be released on his birthday on June 10 according to the sungura maestro. “The album will have six songs and we are still working on the songs. The title of the album and the name of the songs will be the last thing to do after we finish recording,” said Macheo’s publicist Tich Makahamadze.

The birthday girl Sylivia Mandimutsira (pink) having a kodac moment with relatives and friends during the show.

Makahamadze thanked the proprietor Lovemore Mandimutsira for his continued support. “We would like to thank Lovemore Mandimutsira and his wife for their continued support. It gives us an opportunity to meet our rural fans in Watsomba and Mutasa in general that often do not have the opportunity to travel to Mutare for our shows,” said Makahamadze.

Mandimutsira’s wife Sylivia was overjoyed and thanked her husband for honouring her birthday with such a bash. “I am so grateful and overwhelmed by the turnout. I appreciate this birthday bash gesture by my husband, bringing Macheso a music icon in Zimbabwe and Baba Harare. This was also an opportunity to promote Mandel Leisure Centre as the best home for entertainment in Manicaland,” she said.

Baba Harare (left) in action.

Baba Harare, a former Jah Prayzah guitarist, whose real name is Braveman Chizvino, was the double act at the show. He proved why he is rising fast to fame in the entertainment industry since the launch of his first album in 2017 which comprised of the hitsong ‘The Reason Why.’ His energetic dance choreography and contagious jiti music kept revelers on their feet as he closed off the show till the wee hours of Saturday morning.

Macheso’s Manicaland tour ended in Chipinge on Saturday where he reportedly drew a full-house and left revelers spellbound.

The Macheso show in pictures:

Part of the large crowd that attended the Mandel Leisure Centre show.

Some of the revelers that were in the Mandel VIP enclosure enjoying their beverages of choice.

Braai time…

Diamond FM presenter Tadiwacho ‘Mukunda wekuManyika’ who was one of the MCs at the show could not resist the Orchestra Mberikwazvo sungurura dances and joined in.

Mandel Leisure Centre owner Lovemore Mandimutsira (blue overall) and his wife (pink overall) showing their dance moves during Baba Harare’s act.

Diamond FM presenters Tadiwacho (left) and Zion Asset (right) who were the MCs enjoying the show from the backstage.

Revellers in the VIP enclosure enjoying the show.

Revellers enjoying the show.