Tuku and Macheso team up in successful Joburg Show

Hundreds of fans were left clamouring for more early Sunday morning after veterans Oliver Mtukudzi and Alick Macheso gave their all to delight their multitude of fans at the Ekurhuleni Boksburg Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This was the first time the two musicians shared a stage at the expanded entertainment centre where the cheapest ticket was R400 which proved to be out of reach for many fans that were seen milling around the hotel pleading for mercy to pay at least half of the cover charge.

Little known Rimba Mbira Group which is based in Johannesburg kick-started the evening proceedings with a commendable show that won them new fans.

Tuku then took to the stage at 10pm with drummer Sam Mataure and bassist Enock Piroro and the music guru proved he is far from retirement with an energetic performance.

The absence of a female backing vocalist was not felt as Tuku carefully selected his playlist that had a number of songs that fans would sing along.

Old time tracks such as Tozeza Baba and Mutserendende amongst other tracks kept the fans on their feet. Tuku was then joined on stage by Macheso and thrilled their fans with a well-choreographed dance routine.

It was only just before midnight when Tuku made way for the Orchestra Mberikwazvo group members who were itching to go.

As has become the norm, Macheso has mastered the art of making fans enjoy their money’s worth. It was a full band that even had the pleasure of having “substitutes” among the crowd.

Long-time members such as Donald Gogo would make appearances as and when required with the depth that epitomises Orchetra Mberikwazvo and tracks such as Gungwa, Baba, Mude Mude and Wandirangaridza were among the hits that the band played.

Golden oldies such as Charakupa and Madhawu proved to be timeless as fans kept on requesting for replays.

Even as they left the venue at dawn the fans had enjoyed the night which comes in drips and drabs owing to the high costs involved in staging a live show and a number of prominent players in the Jozi entertainment circles were in attendance including  promoters Laston “GP” Murerwa, Welly Manyonda, Oliver Mambambamba and Victor Sithole.

Warriors captain Willard Katsande – who rarely misses a Macheso show – was also in the house and had a chance to meet and greet his fans too.

“This has been my desire of a show. While the venue was not packed to the rafters we had quality fans and our security team had little to do in terms of crowd control. There was not even a single fight as what used to happen before. We will strive to maintain such shows going forward,” said Rodger Muzawazi, who was the show promoter.