The show, which was organised by Abistos Promotions in collaboration with Pantsula Association in Botswana, brought together 11 disco legends from South Africa including Patricia Majalisa, Phumi Maduna, Taboo, Mercy Pakela, Lundwe, Zee Fola, Esta M, Suthukazi Arosi, Nomuntu Kapa, and local kwasa kwasa legend Frank ‘Franco’ Lesokwane and others last Saturday.
Others included Tshepo G, Tyte and the Big Manyora and Mercy M. The show, which was scheduled to start at 1800hrs and end at 0630hrs next day, commenced very late as the first performance kicked off at 2230hrs. By 0700hrs next day, at least the two main popular acts, Majalisa and Franco who were set to close the show, had not performed much to the disappointment of most revellers who had waited the whole night for their most favourite artists. On numerous ocassions in between artists’ performances, the sound engineers also struggled to put it together for a smooth change up. It would take up to 30 minutes to welcome a new set, as the sound system needed some attention. However, almost all the artists tried to put in great performances but were rather derailed by the sound issue. From the onset it was clear that the artists had accepted that there would be sound glitches. But revellers were in most instances disappointed, although they stayed awake for the whole night. A number of fans nearly lost patience, but artists weaved their magic by dishing out good performances to ease their frustration. Many danced to disco tunes, which were popular in the 1990s. When Majalisa finally got on stage at 0710hrs, it showed why most revellers had stayed on, as everyone danced to her music. But to Abel Modutlwe of Abistos Promotions, the festival went according to plan although there were occasions when sound let them down. “I think we did well on time. This is how it was done back then. The performances would last up to 10 the next morning. The legends are used to that. This is a show about them, and it would not be easier to just change everything, especially time,” Modutlwe said. He was, however, quick to say there is room for improvement. He said all artists who were invited were present. He said they decided to bring together the legendary pantsulas who most of the local youth look up to such as the disco divas in the likes of Patricia Majalisa, Mercy Phakela, Taboo, Zizi Kongo, Cheek to Cheek’s Phumi Maduna, Winnie Khumalo famed for her song Lazaru, Pamela Nkutha known for Pampiri Le Motsoko and some of the band members who supported the late Lucky Dube, Jabu Khanyile and Sarafina.
