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Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi at Ibumba Festival

Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
LEGENDARY musician Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi marked his return to Stanley Square in Bulawayo’s Makokoba suburb on Saturday night after 28 years with a top notch performance that had fans on their feet until his last song.

Tuku last performed at Stanley Square with the Black Spirits sometime in 1986.

Speaking after his show, Tuku said the return reminded him of the days he was still young and performing with his band.

“It was a show that was held here at Stanley Square. The band and I performed here and we had a good time like today. I enjoyed myself with the fans,” he said.

Tuku said he was in the city to support a festival that promotes the arts.

The superstar got on stage two hours after the scheduled time but no explanation was given for the delay. Tuku was supposed to be on stage from 10PM until 12AM; however the superstar only went on stage at 11:45PM.

A sizeable crowd had gathered at the show and was getting restless as they were not entertained for the better part of the night.

After the Fashion Fest 2014 show, which was held at Stanley Hall, ended at 8:30PM, fans started trickling in and those who were in the hall moved over to the square.

This was where all the live bands perform and from 8:30 until 11PM when the Outfit Band went on stage, there was no group performing.

The four member jazz band whose lead vocalist is Sam Siwela, only performed two songs which had the crowd on their feet.

Next to come on stage was the newly formed iTribe comprising Thandi Dlana and X-Mile both on vocals, Zet Moyo on guitar and backing vocals and Butshilo Nleya on traditional drums. They also did justice to their inclusion as opening acts at the show. X-Mile concluded their performance with a popular tune, Bangaxabani could be heard singing along.

When “Samanyanga” went on stage he was met with a rapturous applause from the crowd and he immediately belted out his old time hits such as Dzoka Uyamwe, Patapata, Neria and Manyemwe.

Fans were however left disappointed as Tuku was on stage for just an hour instead of the scheduled two hours. Clad in all white, Tuku who has been busy this past week, showed the energy of a teenager as he danced on stage with members of his band,.

This was the third time Tuku has been in Bulawayo this month and twice in one week.

When Tuku was being escorted off by police and festival director Saimon Mambazo Phiri, some fans were heard pleading with him to return to stage.

Thereafter Family Voices appeased the fans with their ever popular tracks such as Ah, Job ayikwenyakwenya, and renditions of Lovemore Majaivana’s songs.

Meanwhile, the curtain comes down today on the six-day Ibumba Festival that was themed “No Limits”. In the morning there is an Ibumba Football Tournament at Crescent Sports Ground (Behind Hartsfield Rugby Grounds), at 3PM Vocal Ex will hold a CD Launch at the Large City Hall. Tomorrow morning it will be DJ Bongz Deeper at the Stanley Hall and DJ Slamma on the Main Stage: Stanley Square.