CHIMURENGA guru Thomas Tafirenyika Mapfumo jets into Johannesburg Thursday afternoon for two high-profile gigs at Newtown Music Factory on Saturday night and The Pavilion in Sunnyside, Pretoria on Sunday.
Mukanya, as he is affectionately known, commands a sizeable fanbase who are expected to throng the two venues.
He will travel with some band members from his Oregon base in America as well as some from the United Kingdom.
They will join the other Blacks Unlimited members who live in South Africa such as mbira player Bezel Makombe who has been with the group for decades.
“We can confidently say all is ready from our side and we urge fans to continue purchasing tickets on Webtickets in order for us to manage the numbers. Mukanya is a legend and this is one of those rare opportunities where has to perform in Africa,” said Ashton Mutuvha of One Love Movement who are sponsoring the show with Diaspora Insurance.
It will be a huge test for the 76-year-old Mukanya, also known as The Lion of Zimbabwe, who is now of an advanced age. He boasts a number of albums and a career spanning over 40 years.
The weekend shows will see the return of urban groover Nox and Darlington Mhofela Tanganyika and his Journey Band. The two artists will be the supporting acts at both shows and they have previously never disappointed.
There will also be a number of DJs on rotation the likes of Charlieban, Mr Gee Warriors, Mytee Dollar and Stramma. Rico Myers will once again be the MC at both events where hundreds are expected if the excitement on social media is anything to go by.
“While the COVID 19 numbers have been on the decline we are urging all those who are coming to bring their masks as per the government regulations. We are also starting early as there is still a curfew in place at midnight,” added Mutuvha.
