At the First Capital Bank Sports Club in Mt. Pleasant, Harare, the just concluded Girlfest 2024 was a colorful event. The event, which had a retro 2000s theme, drew women dressed nostalgically, which produced a lively atmosphere with dancing, music, and several fun activities. The arrangement featured artistically created photo booths, one of which was labeled Girlfest and had accessories like pink and white bicycles decked out in flowers to improve the aesthetic appeal.
Ladies had begun to trickle into the venue at eleven in the morning.
The chic VVIP section is regarded as one of the best thus far, with many people blown away by the decor and seating, which featured a mix of red and white seat sets and a few wooden tables on the upper deck. The organizers paid attention to detail.
The vendors were on the edges of the main arena, and sadly, some were selling their meals at a very exorbitant price.
DJ Wanco at Girlfest
DJ Wanco, who was stationed throughout the show, connected wonderfully with the ladies; he understood just what music to play that complemented the theme, keeping the party atmosphere vibrant. The first performer, Roki, was supposed to start performing at 1340–1420 hrs but only came on stage at 1530 hrs. He presented a great performance that was backed by his excellent dancing skills; the ladies literally screamed for more but couldn’t invite him back due to the race against time.
DJ Naida followed with a blend of classic and new school. She elevated the party atmosphere and even transported the women back to the days of Masteps with songs such as Carolina and Hinde Moni.
Some suggested that next time she be scheduled before the main. In between her 30 minutes, she called Chengeto Brown for their new song, originally performed by Chioniso Maraire.
Trevor Dongo, a favorite with women, did not disappoint. They sang along with him like a background choir. When he approached the audience, there was a bit of commotion and screaming. The women raced from the back to touch him, with a few lucky ones getting selfies.
Trevor Dongo with the crowd at Girlfest
Not all performances were able to keep the vibe; some felt that Rax the DJ’s music choices did not suit their tastes. They only got up to dance when he played a recognized tune. He delivered a 40-minute performance.
Alexio Kawara was one of the night’s biggest attractions. They clearly appreciated his performance and were disappointed when he left at the end of his time slot.
Voltz JT did well, although he admitted to being nervous because it was his first time singing in an all-female event. The younger ladies raced to the front row to record him on their cellphones, dancing and singing their hearts out alongside him.
Tamy Moyo’s energy and vibrancy were incredible.
She sang and performed beautifully with her crew of six dancers, giving off a Beyoncé aura. Her theatrical costume was expertly designed to complement her genre.
Abisha Palmer and DJ Iroq served as muses. They came ready to wow the ladies. The party was taken to new heights from start to finish. As if they had done their study, they knew what kind of music to play and even tossed in two gospel songs, sending the audience to church.
DJ Iroq at Girlfest
Nisha Ts’ surprise entrance was enthusiastically received, adding to the diversity of entertainment. DJ Wanco had to keep everyone entertained while they waited for DJ Cleo. The MC V Candy offered no explanation for the delay.
When he eventually arrived, sporting a Zimbabwe t-shirt, he started with the national song before transitioning to house music. Guitarist Sylent Nqo joined him. The audience was ecstatic as they performed Gcina Impilo Yami and other DJ Cleo songs. To everyone’s disappointment, he was asked to leave the stage due to time constraints. As one of the main acts, he was meant to perform for 45 minutes but was only there for about 30 minutes, and some members of the audience did not comprehend what he was playing while the rest were having a great time.
The cherry on top of the night was Master H, who is currently the man of the moment. He made the most of his limited time by performing a high-intensity routine. He was also cut short because the event was about to conclude, which was a great disappointment for everyone who had paid their hard-earned money to attend.
As suggested by Abisha Palmer and warmly received by the ladies, they could bring Winky D and a couple DJs to their next event to attract more people and shorten the line-up.
Overall, the Girlfest event was a success in bringing women together while also providing a tranquil setting free of violence. The event stood out for its thoughtful programming, which combined nostalgia, new hits, and a vibrant environment that kept attendees engaged until the final bands walked the stage.
Unfortunately, some men who were assumed to be service providers were nosy and disturbing by filming ladies dancing, which security immediately discovered.
The crowd at Girlfest
