Mafikizolo is back

Thalefang Charles
Staff Writer | Monday May 6, 2013 00:00

Ten years since they dropped the multi award winning Sibongile album, that crowned them as the new kings of AfroPop this festival was a true test to their relevance on the kwaito scene after their recent reunion because the current kwaito kings were also in Gaborone.

The Durban kwaito heavyweight Big Nuz was at Bull and Bush, while the new kings Black Motion and Uhuru were 'drum-beating' at the Game City Terrance. Even worse Siphokazi whose music is seen as a deeper extension of what Mafikizolo used to play was performing at a more decent venue at the Botswana Craft.

At 9:00 pm at Fairground in the biting wintry outdoor venue, there was a handful crowd and the show seemed as dead. It was only just before 11pm when DJ NT Base playing kwaito classics that he hit the right chord with the crowd as they suddenly filled the dance floor.

They came in and danced the famous group dance that was famed by Mafikizolo and Malaika music. The revellers, mostly women, some wearing those Sophiatown dresses usually don by Nhlanhla, proved to the other DJs that a Mafikizolo fan has now grown.

Some of the fans, who braved the cold, said a Mafikizolo fan has come of age. 'Ga re Ma14' one festivalgoer stated. Some have married to their songs and left a deeper connection that made it easy for them to choose to attend this gig over Big Nuz, Black Motion and Uhuru

Mafizikizolo got on stage at 00:50hrs for an hour set that transported the revellers on kwaito and Afropop journey from days of Dihamba Nawe to their latest single, Khona. With their two agile female dancers doing sensual choreographed moves Theo and Nhlanhla warmed up the crowd. Beautifully dressed in a matching blue, white and black Theo and Nhlanhla made a statement with a passionate performance that Mafikizolo is back for their Afropop crown. Khona!