Music
The Phalaphala FM Royal Heritage Festival 2016 takes place on 10 September at the Royal Gardens at Nandoni Dam. Just like in the previous editions of this festival, this edition's line-up is amazing and promises to draw a bigger audience.
Music lovers will be treated to house music, VenRap, Afro-Rumba (Chingondo), Afro-pop, gospel music, hip-hop, traditional music and reggae.
The leader of Orchestra Mberikwazvo live band, Alick Macheso, released his debut album, Magariro in 1998. From that point on he became a prolific musician who travelled the world and released many albums. His albums include, among others, Vakiridzo (1999), Simbaradzo (2000), Zvakanaka Zvakadaro (2001), Zvido Zvenyu Kunyanya (2003), Vapupuri Pupurai (2005), Ndezvashe-Eh (2007), and Zvinoda Kutendwa (2012). He released a new album this year, Tsoka Dzerwendo.
Macheso is popular throughout the world and is regarded as one of the "most successful singers and ranked among the best bass guitarists on the continent".
The multi-award-winning musicians Shwi no Mtekhala were both born in eMsinga village in Kwazulu Natal and grew up together. They attended Msinga Primary School, but due to the political unrest in Kwazulu Natal, they had to quit school and go to Gauteng to get some jobs. However, because no jobs were available to them, they started to sing seriously and released their debut album with a group known then as Hlanganani in 1993.
They made history with the release of their mega-hit album Wangisiza Baba in 2004, which sold over 750 000 copies. In 2006, the group recorded yet another album, called Angimazi uBaba, which was followed by Kukhulu Engakubona in 2007.
In 2009, Shwi no Mtekhala released Uyob Nenhlanhla and in 2010 they released another one, entitled Indoda Endlini. In 2012, they came up with an album called Izinto Zomhlaba. All their albums were recorded at Bula Music, except the first and second album.
In 2013, they recorded their first album with their own company, Mtekhala and Shwi Music Entertainment, entitled Baba noMama. In 2014 they released Bazali Bami.
The line-up includes, but is not limited to, Macheso, Nathi, Sfiso Ncwane, Kwesta, Nasty C, Riky Rick, DJ Dimplez, VJ Nutty, DJ Ganyani, Prince Kaybee, Heavy K, DJ Zinhle, DJ Malwela, Colbert Mukwevho, Benny Mayengani, Shwi No Mtekhala, Rofhiwa, David Mmbi, Kenny Bevhula, Lagugga, Kanakana "Cook", Zozo, Jones, and Lufuno Buda.
Tickets are available at R180 pre-sale at Computicket and R200 at the door. VIP tickets cost R950.