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Mbulelo Mpofu, Showbiz Reporter

THEY came and shut the place down! It looked as if the show was poised to fail following the latest lockdown measures, but award-winning South African Afro-pop duo Blaq Diamond did not allow that to happen as they rocked crowds in Bulawayo.

After being granted a special exemption for the show, Blaq Diamond made sure to make good use of the opportunity granted to them.

The show that was initially scheduled for the BAC Leisure eventually ended up taking place at Umguza Yacht Club on Saturday. Hordes of nocturnal entertainment lovers thronged the establishment for what was going to be an iconic show.

People from across all corners of the nation converged to witness a touch of South African magic.

Local trapper Fish F Ndaramu opened proceedings and was joined by uPresident wama2K, Tebza. The two readied the crowd for the main act. Next in line was Mzoe 7 who gave a stellar performance that was filled with verve and well-rehearsed choreography.

On the decks was DJ Nospa who belted out some local and regional tunes.

The moment that everyone was waiting for finally came and deafening screams were heard as the crowd chorused unrelentingly at the top of their lungs. Blaq Diamond was finally in the house and flew into the stage with Ibhanoyi bellowing in the speakers.

The duo (Sphelele Dunywa and Ndumiso Mdletshe) is known for their exquisite taste in apparel and this time was not going to be an exception. Notable was Dunywa’s enigmatic white balaclava with a pair of white trousers and white Balenciaga sneakers. His dreadlocked counterpart spotted some shades, a hand band and his signature vintage floral unbuttoned shirt.

Later on, Dunywa unmasked to a frenzy and the duo greeted fans while patrons danced their socks off.

Part of the songs that the duo performed included Italy, Amacriminal Record and a piece of Price to pay. It was only a matter of time before the summer became one of umuthi. The crowd-favourite sing-along tune Summer Yomuthi is a summer song indeed and it was too good to be performed once. Blaq Diamond had to give an encore of the song plus an accapella rendition of it.

Patrons had a chance to mix and mingle with the duo, taking selfies in a meet and greet session. The guards had to escort the artistes out of the venue as people craved for more of their sound.

Back at BAC Leisure, the party continued and even bouncers got to the dancefloor as DJ Nospa continued where he left off at Umguza Yacht Club. – @eMKlass_49