Staff Reporter
SOUTH African songstress Lady Zamar is so keen to perform in Maseru that she will ensure to hold her stage costume in her hand luggage.
The comments come from the fact that when she last performed in the country in July this year she lost her stage attire for several hours and ended up performing hours after her initial schedule.
Known for her unconventional fashion sense, Lady Zamar will perform at the forthcoming Lesotho Times Fanfest scheduled for Setsoto Stadium on 3 November 2018. The gig has been organised to commemorate Lesotho Time’s over a decade long service.
She is part of a blistering line-up that includes Zimbabwean legend Oliver Mtukudzi and local superstar Tsepo Tshola. Also billed to perform are AKA, Kwesta, Nasty C, Trompies, Amanda Black and Lerato Kganyago among several others.
The singer who has often been ridiculed for her outlandish attire explained her recent response to critics who attacked her for her maroon socks worn with a blue Puma outfit. After enduring multiple social media rants including: “You dress like a homeless person”, she erupted and lashed out.
She told the Weekender that she often does not care about people’s social media remarks but said the comment about dressing like a homeless person was emotive for her. She said she found the comment insensitive because it sought to make fun of disadvantaged members of the society.
“I do not mind when people go on about my fashion,” Lady Zamar said.
“However, when they go over board they become mean. People on the streets have real problems and they do not wear Puma.
“Even though, I am cognisant of the fact that as celebrities we are public property so there is little that I can do about such comments.”
She said her fashion is influenced by the need to set trends, comfort and to experiment. She said growing up, she was brought up dressing up for every occasion.
“From as early as 13 I was dressing for occasions because my mother was very fashion conscious. Now I am just trying to experiment and really express myself because I am now grown up.
“Some of my attires are inspired by J-Lo and Rihanna in how they experiment. I also love Gucci and Versace trends. I also watch Fashion TV all the time and I travel a lot.”
Asked what her fans should expect on her performance in November, Lady Zamar said to avoid the ordeal of losing her costume before her performance, she would hold it in her hands.
“Last time I was in Lesotho it was a disaster. I lost my suitcases and they were found hours later so this time I am going carry my outfit in my hand luggage and it’s gonna be an interesting show.”
Lady Zamar oozed about Mtukudzi.
“I am honoured. When I hear about that name Oliver Mtukudzi I think of greatness, the astionishing achievements and his consistence. Tsepo Tshola is also iconic. Just five years ago I never thought I would be allocated a slot next to such stars. Now I believe that I could one day be viewed as a great,” she said.
She said her performances are also more about the people whose lives are touched by her music.
Lady Zamar said she also has an upcoming project that she believes is going to shock the airwaves when it hits the market later this year. She said the single is part of her forthcoming album which is expected next year.
Asked which of her tracks she views as the greatest, she said Collide. She said she wrote the track over two and half years before it was finally released onto the market.
“I wrote Collide two and half years before it was released. I wrote it in 2015 and only recorded it in 2016 before the release in two and half years later. The track has a lot of emotions, blood, sweat and tears,” Lady Zamar said.
Born Yamikani Janet Banda, Lady Zamar was born to a chewa mother and Zulu father in Tembisa, South Africa.
