MASERU — Popular South African jazz artistes Nomhle and Zahara on Thursday set a fully packed ’Manthabiseng Convention Centre on fire during the Lesotho Tourism Festival’s Divas concert.
But the concert which was meant to be a four-hour event had merrymakers waiting as it only kicked off at 10pm, two hours behind schedule. Local artiste, Nthakoana Ngatana, tried to lift the spirits among revellers as she raised the curtain
for Nomhle and Zahara.
She performed songs from her debut album Mosia Motobatsi but the response wasn’t as warm as one would expect for a local act.
Ngatana was followed by Nomhle Nongogo who killed her set and got revellers dancing and feeling her Xhosa music.
Nomhle told the Lesotho Times: “This is not my first time performing. The crowd is slowly feeling my music and that humbles me a lot because my music is Xhosa. I have always believed that music is universal.”
“I have been backing for seven years and this year is a time to reap what I have sown and I appreciate Maseru for the support.
“My music is for the people and none of my songs are personal; all of them are political and social issues so I sing for the people and Basotho have been feeling my music.”
After Nomhle stepped off stage, the revellers chanted Zahara’s songs as she was the last act of the night but they ended-up waiting for another hour before they could see her perform.
Local comedian Cura stepped onto the stage as he attempted to keep the crowds busy, spitting his hilarious jokes.
He did a good job and managed to keep the crowds calm until Zahara came on stage around midnight.
She came on stage in a pair of jeans and flip-flops, humbly apologised for being late and asked to be excused to change into her stage attire.
That was consolation enough to put smiles on the fans’ faces and they immediately burst into screams of appreciation.
The on-fire musician mesmerised the fans by performing all the 12 tracks from her hit album Loliwe not leaving any room for disappointment.
The revellers chanted along every song. The diva was exhausted but she maintained her smile. When performing another crowd favourite Lengoma, Zahara started with the original before turning up the tempo with a remix and the crowd just went wild.
She signed off with the popular Loliwe and it was clear the fans were satisfied with Zahara’s lively performance.
“I feel like I’m going to faint,” she remarked when she got backstage before telling the Lesotho Times how wonderful the crowd was.
“This was a very memorable experience for me. The crowd knew every song on the album; I’m very humbled by the love. I knew I was doing well but I didn’t realise that even Basotho are following the music.
“I stepped on stage a bit nervous because my music is in Xhosa but from the first song to the last they were singing along; they are so full of love and it is incredible.”
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