8 shows, 6 countries: Vusa Mkhaya set for 2 week mini-SADC Tour Oct 08, 2022 Imbube artiste and Bulawayo cultural ambassador Vusa Mkhaya and his band are set to stage eight shows in six countries as part of their mini-SADC tour. The mini-tour will take Mkhaya to Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, South Africa and Eswatini. This will not be a hard ask for Mkhaya who has performed in sold out shows in Europe. Lovers of Mkhaya’s music in Lusaka (Zambia), Lilongwe (Malawi), Gaborone (Botswana), Johannesburg (South Africa) and Eswatini are soon to get a taste of his music when he begins his tour on October 12. His tour will end with a performance at the Green Lifestyle Festival in Eswatini on October 22. Charity surely begins at home, Mkhaya who recently released a new album, Khanyisa, performed at the Oasis Creators Hub on Friday and will head to the capital city on Sunday for the Stanbic Bank Jacaranda Musical Festival before he flies out. Saturday Leisure had a chat with Mkhaya to ascertain his state of preparedness for the gruelling and unforgiving tour. “We don’t have a specific theme for the tour. It’s just a tour to push the Mkhaya music brand across the African continent. We hope to grow the Mkhaya Music brand across the continent and beyond,” said Mkhaya. Music is universal and no language barrier can dim the light that sprouts from music. A typical example of Mkhaya’s indelible work ethic is his collaboration with French DJ Romain Garcia on the song Syamo where he delivered IsiNdebele lyrics in French with ease. Mkhaya said it’s in his DNA to network and collaborate with every artiste open to working with him. “We will collaborate with artistes in every country we perform in. If the connection is good, who knows, we might record with them,” he said. Performing in eight different locations in a fortnight with shows coming in thick and fast must surely take a toll, even on the most stoical person living. So, how will Mkhaya cope with such a schedule? “We will make sure we get some rest in between the shows. Travelling to some places will be a challenge, but we will go with the wind and keep it moving,” said Mkhaya. In his mini-regional tour, Mkhaya will be in the company of diverse bands and solo artistes who will either perform as curtain raisers for him or share the stage with him. In Harare at the Stanbic Bank Jacaranda Music Festival, Mkhaya will be with Djembe Monks, Victor Kunonga, Janet Manyowa, Zonke, DJ Fresh and other notable local and regional acts. In Zambia, he will be supported by Mumba Yachi and Vanessa Chisakula. In Malawi, he will count on Carmen for support. As for the kingdom of Eswatini, the festival line-up is not yet publicly announced and Mkhaya is yet to finalise the acts that will support him in Botswana and South Africa. Whether as a solo artiste or with Insingizi, Mkhaya has toured the world performing and concedes that staging in Lebanon, Beirut was special and will stick with him for a very long time. “There are so many shows that stand out because every country is different and the audiences react differently. Performing in Lebanon, and Beirut was special. Also, performing at an open-air arena in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso was amazing. The list is endless and one can go on and on,” said the Lalela singer. Those who have attended a Vusa Mkhaya show will attest to his high-energy sets, characterised by his dancing barefoot and connecting well with the audience. Mkhaya epitomises a tank that never empties with loads of experience in the music sector, “People should expect good vibes only. We will be performing a mix of our old songs and songs from the latest album, Khanyisa.” Mkhaya is a recipient of a National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) gong for Outstanding Artiste in the Diaspora category.
