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Showbiz Reporter

For years, a prevailing belief in Bulawayo’s entertainment scene has been that show promoters need South African or Harare-based acts to draw large crowds. However, recent events are challenging this notion, proving that a compelling concept and local talent are enough to pack venues.

The Garden of House (GOH), an event celebrating house music, is a standout example. Organised by Bulawayo Exclusive Events, the event has consistently drawn enthusiastic audiences without relying on outside acts. Another popular local event following this trend is the Munch & Sip festival, both which have redefined what it takes to attract large crowds in the city.

DJ Ash T, one of the GOH organisers, shared the vision behind the event. “As Bulawayo Exclusive Events, we believe that house music can bring people together and create a sense of unity. Our aim with Garden of House is to showcase local talent, uplift our city, and provide a platform for artists to display their skills,” he explained.

Local musician Mlue Jay commended local DJs for their impact on the music scene, saying, “In a world where the bad tends to outweigh the good, today I’d like to celebrate and shed a spotlight on our new music rockstars. DJs in Bulawayo have built incredible brands, loyal fan bases, and mainstream platforms without foreign acts or government support. They’ve shown that local talent can command crowds and sell out venues.”

Reflecting on the recent GOH event held on Saturday at the ZIEC, Mlue Jay added, “These DJs don’t just talk – they act on their ideas, and it’s inspiring. This festive season, asifuni ukulala emakhaya!”

At the latest GOH event, DJs Ash T, Kotwane Hikwa, and Just Drey energised the crowd, proving once again that Bulawayo’s home-grown talent is capable of making waves and filling venues independently