Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Entertainment Reporter
IT IS that time of the year again when families and people of particular cultures and faiths come together to celebrate Christmas.
The day is often marked by church services, family gatherings, shared meals and the exchange of gifts.
But for artistes, the holiday cheer often comes with a catch: packed schedules, endless performances and barely a moment to enjoy the celebrations they help bring to life.
The Sunday Mail Entertainment caught up with several artistes, who shared their schedules for the festive season.
Zimbabwe Original Rhythms of Africa (Zora) music protagonist Leonard “Karikoga” Zhakata headlined the festivities with an album launch on Friday.
Titled “Jinda Rasvika”, Zhakata launched five tracks of the album, with the other five set to be released in January.
The album has songs that include “Tanyaradzwa”, “Chisungo” and “Mambo Ndidaireiwo”, with the artiste returning to his traditional Zora beat.
Recently, Zhakata received a brand-new Toyota Fortuner, a gift from businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
Multi-award-winning hip hop artiste Holy Ten will be very busy this Christmas.
With his scheduled shows, he will barely have time to be with his family during the festive period.
On Friday, he was set to perform at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex, then at Siketall Waysiding in Chipinge last night.
Today, he makes his way to the Gweru Showground for another act.
On Christmas Day, the “Ucharamba Uchipisa” singer will be on stage in Kariba, giving his fans in the resort town a special treat at Lake Harvest Sports Club.
Super star Jah Prayzah, who now commands a huge following locally and internationally, will be busy on Christmas Day.
Known for his stylish dressing, the multi-award-winning musician will spend the day in Norton, where he will host a family show at Pakare Paye Arts Centre.
His manager Keen Mushapaidze promised an exciting show with electrifying acts from the lanky artiste.
“Christmas Day is family time, so, as artistes, we also play a role in bringing families together, which is why we felt a family show is best on such a day,” he said.
The Third Generation Band founder is known for his exciting energy on stage with his dancers and the band producing a carnival atmosphere that speaks volumes.
Recently, the ensemble brought the house down at the Bulawayo Shutdown show that threw the auditorium into ecstasy, as his band showed off well-choreographed dance routines.
One of the country’s most sought-after artistes, Master H, will also be busy on the day.
Born Hillary Marufu, the chanter and his Bottom Camp band are set to perform at Jongwe Corner in Chinhoyi on December 25.
They will perform alongside “Juzi Rako” hitmaker Kae Chaps, Templeman and DJ Tanaman in a highly anticipated show that promises fireworks.
“Yes, we may not have enough time to celebrate Christmas with our families, but we can always make time after the packed schedules,” said Benedict Illusion, the band’s manager.
The band, which comprises Vitalis Daka, Tanaka Magazeni, Blessed Manyewe, Obert Gomba and Exodus Bande, have become known for dazzling and well-rehearsed acts at their shows.
“It is our role as a band to entertain the public, so getting a chance to perform on such a day as Christmas means the promoters trust us with entertaining the fans,” he said.
Songbird Feli Nandi, owner of the popular eatery KwaNandi, will host a special Christmas Day event.
Guests can enjoy a diverse culinary experience, savouring various cuisines while being entertained by live music. This will be a unique occasion for the restaurant since its opening.
Chitungwiza-born saxophonist Denilson Panashe Musekiwa expects a busy Christmas.
The saxophonist rose to prominence for his individual and event-tailored saxophone performances.
He is one of the most sought-after guys, who introduced the idea of playing a saxophone while delivering a gift on behalf of those who want to surprise their loved ones.
It almost seems a gift is not complete unless it is accompanied by a saxophonist.
With Christmas coming this week, Musekiwa will likely be busy, as he is almost fully booked.
“A lot of people want to surprise their loved ones and their families at this time, so we started getting Christmas bookings as early as September,” he
said.
“People are now beginning to appreciate our way of delivering gifts and the number of bookings has been gradually increasing throughout the year.”
The saxophonist also delivers gifts at weddings, birthday parties, baby welcome or baby shower events.
In the past, he has worked with artistes such as Nutty O, Trevor Dongo, Winky D and Baba Harare.
Despite the busy schedule for some artistes, the general festive mood is low.
In the past, artistes would take advantage of the season and release new albums and singles.
But this has not been the case this year, with few artistes launching albums just ahead of Christmas.
However, Mambo Dhuterere’s recent album “Kudenga Kuna Manuwere” could be one of the hits this Christmas.
Since its release, social media has been in overdrive with “challenges”, where fans have launched competitions, dancing to the chanter’s songs, mostly the track “Sunungura Nezodzo”.
