BY WINSTONE ANTONIO IN VICTORIA FALLS AN unforgettable experience awaits the mixed-race audience at Elephant Hills Hotel as the traditional Victoria Falls Carnival thunders into life today.
The carnival, which is being held in the resort town of Victoria Falls, will end on Sunday.
The three-day cultural jamboree, to be graced by local and international music icons, makes a return after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is set to liven up Zimbabwe’s most popular tourist destination.
Before the COVID-19 outbreak, the carnival that had become a major highlight on the arts, culture and tourism calendar was traditionally hosted in December.
The carnival, which showcases the best talent mainly from African, is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it continues to grow, attracting and thrilling thousands of people from all walks of life.
Apart from music, several thrills have been lined up for festival enthusiasts as Africa’s exciting and adventurous music festival celebrates diverse cultures, foods and arts.
With a sensational line-up of artistes that include South African multi-award-winning Master KG, DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Scorpion Kings, ShaSha, Nutty O, Gemma Griffiths, DJ Colastraw and DJ La Timmy, fireworks cannot be rulled out at the carnival.
Some of the performers include South Africa’s first platinum female rapper Boity, Afrotech Pioneer and Kunye founder Shimza, Bulawayo’s fusion trio Djembe Monks, resident band Flying Bantu, progressive Afro producer Nitefreak and producer Tashinga.
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For the grand opening night, fans will catch a glimpse of the thrills and spills that will characterise the three days of fun through a night of the best in live Afro beats and amapiano.
Revellers will be entertained by Amapiano Kings and Queen DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Sha Sha and Master KG.
Also in the performers’ line-up are DJ Francis and Ngoma Ingoma (both from Zimbabwe), Khoisan, DJ La Timmy and Colastraw (all from Botswana).
On Saturday, afternoon, revellers are in for a treat at the VIP Pool Party featuring a surprise guest wheel spinner.
After a sunset cruise on the Zambezi Explorer boat, the VIP and VVIP guests will have a night to remember when local dancehall singer Nuty O and Afro-pop and soul singer Gemma Griffiths share the stage at a private show scheduled for 1830hrs at Pure African stage.
While Nuty O and Griffiths perform at the Pure Africa stage, compatriots hip-hop singer Takura, King Her, Tashinga and Djembe Monks will be sharing the stage with South Africa’s Nitfreak, Boity and DJ Kabelo and Nizhe Desoul at the carnival’s main arena.
The night will also boast a high-energy line up of some of Africa’s biggest artistes who are sure to keep fans on their feet through the night.
The curtain is expected to come down with a bang late on Sunday evening as the country’s finest artistes: Rapper Asaph, Flying Bantu, Griffiths, Nuty O and Shimza take fans into Workers’ Day.
The organisers have promised a bigger and better festival packed with activities, adding that funds raised through this exclusive competition as part of the carnival activities will go to their partners at Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust to help in the conservation of the Victoria Falls region.
Festival organisers recently told our sister paper The Standard that this year’s venue was the best for a music festival of its magnitute.
“We see more room for growth at this venue and it’s a great way to start our new journey after the long break due to the pandemic, and celebrate our 10th year,” said festival director Craig Bright.
“We have unfortunately outgrown the school venue — and the fact that we can use the hotel as a base for all our artistes and crew, and for accommodating our festival fans, makes it an ideal venue.”
- Follow Winstone on Twitter @widzoanto
