Legendary Rhumba stars roll back years
Patrons were on Saturday evening treated to splendid Rhumba performances at the Alliance Française Gaborone. It was a picturesque moment to remember for many, more especially the elderly as the event brought legendary Rhumba stars under one roof to roll back the good old times.
Locally based legendary Congolese guitarist, Kapenda Katuta performed alongside Ngwasuma Stars and another legendary Rhumba artist, Alfredo Mos during an event meant to celebrate one of the most influential genres of African music and dance. Some of the big names known in the Kwasa kwasa music scene that dominated in the early late 90s to the early 2000 such as Samorai, Baba Flo, Awilo, Willy and Frank with the likes of Alfredo Mos & Les Africa Sounds, were part of the band that mesmerised patrons on the night, and left them asking for more.
This music concert was part of a series of activities for the week hosted by the Alliance Française Gaborone in celebration of the international week of Francophone. This Francophone week is celebrated every year and provides an opportunity for French speakers around the world to celebrate the French language in all its diversity. The event started as early as 6pm, with Sian Pottok serenading the patrons with her Soul jazz melodies.
Sian Pottok warmed up the stage nicely for Kapenda Katuta and Ngwasuma Stars. As one would expect, she ensured that the crowd was ready to dance the night away when the performance tempo gets higher later in the evening.
When they finally got on stage, Kapenda Katuta and Ngwasuma Stars did not disappoint playing classic Rhumba hits after another much to the delight of the crowd that could not stop cheering. It was an intimate set yet very powerful from the band.
Later on, Alfredo Mos who was a guest performer, got the opportunity to take revelers down memory lane with his hits that include Ipabalelo tseleng. Although he sings in the vernacular, the crowd which was dominated by the French speaking could not help but joined in song and dance, making it an even more special moment. Had it not been for the sound glitches that interrupted his set, Alfredo Mos was almost in his element, reminding the patrons of his good old days when his music dominated the airwaves.
Although Alfredo Mos performed just as a guest, Katuta said they used the opportunity to introduce him to the Alliance Française Gaborone audience.
Katuta and Alfredo Mos have played together for a long time now since Katuta arrived in the Botswana at the invitation of another Kwasa kwasa artist, Jeff Matheatau.