WE ARE MORE THAN HUNGRY – MACHESO

ALICK MACHESO’S camp yesterday hailed its two-week tour of South Africa as a timely “pain-killer” they badly needed.

The star-studded outfit, which returned home on Tuesday after lunch, held two sold out gigs on its first week in Johannesburg and Germiston, creating more demand.

Although the artiste was scheduled to hold a double in Gauteng Province, Zimbabweans resident in Cape Town lured the revered entertainer to the Mother City where he staged another family show last weekend.

It was indeed a successful two-week tour of South Africa that reunited Baba Sharon and fans, according to his camp.

Speaking to H-Metro Entertainment & Lifestyle after their return, Orchestra Mberikwazvo publicist Tich Makahamadze said they badly needed to entertain live audiences after months of inactivity.

“Both the band and fans were hungry for this show and it simply came at the right time after we last performed in South Africa two years ago.

“The response was amazing and we have also learnt how best to organise shows during such times of Covid-19 where regulations need to be religiously followed.

“Of course, we have been holding virtual shows back home but there is something magical about live audiences.

“Now that we are home, we are still hungry for more because we would have anticipated a massive welcome party back home,” he said.

Makahamadze, whose camp is unquestionably the biggest crowd pullers in Zimbabwe, said they were monitoring the situation before they resume live shows.

“Our case is a bit complicated when it comes to holding live shows because we are the biggest crowd pullers.

“A small party will end up attracting hordes of fans so we will be consulting the authorities on how best we can interact with the fans.

“We are now more than hungry for shows, but the situation back home requires us to be more vigilant and observant,” he said.

He however, said the camp would not stop rehearsals for both their 12th album and festive season shows.

“As one of the biggest bands in Zimbabwe, we can’t afford to starve fans of new stuff on the market because we have learnt how to adjust to this Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have been recording the 2021 album with the hope to beat the festive season deadline that we have given ourselves.

“Finer details will be advised in due course but production is in progress with all the band members in high spirits,” he added.

Fans have been anticipating Macheso’s return to the stage along with other crowd pullers like Jah Prayzah, Winky D and the Charambas in gospel circles.

In recent weeks, other small bands like Peter Moyo, Baba Harare along with a host of mbira and jazz outfits have been jamming in some of the capital’s upmarket venues.

Joint owners have been observing Covid-19 restrictions even though it is hard to control drunken imbibers who end up violating the health rules to contain the deadly

virus.