23k women flock into giant doek and slay party setting a new record

IT wasn’t the record-breaking 90 000 who paid their way into the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday night but this was quite a record crowd and a unique one too – about 23 000 women packed in a vast outdoor arena in Harare yesterday.

 

And, having fun, a lot of fun.

 

The expectation last week was that it would be a record-breaking crowd for the final Doek & Slay show in Harare.

 

And, the reality is that the record number of women who came for the show surpassed expectations and it was clearly the biggest attendance by women at a musical show in this country’s history.

 

As early as 8am yesterday, on a perfect sunny summer day in the capital, it became clear that something special would happen at Alex Sports Club, the traditional venue of the show.

 

Some women had already started arriving at the club, dressed in purple outfits, which was the theme of the show, and they were already in a very good mood.

 

One football field at the Sports Club was converted into a car park and by midday hundreds of cars had been parked there.

 

There were cars just about everywhere, parked around the club, and before one even got into the show, it was clear that something special was going down there.

 

The mega show which was headlined by Jah Prayzah, man-of-the-moment Master H, Enzo Ishall and Tamy Moyo.

 

The Doek & Slay All-Women party has become the biggest musical show in this country and it keeps getting better and bigger.

 

“I think the next one, the organisers can hold it at the National Sports Stadium and I can tell you that the girls will come there and fill it.” said a lady who only gave her first name, Mercy.

 

“We love Doek & Slay, just being together as women, talking about ourselves, our issues, our challenges and, of course, our love stories.

 

“It’s so beautiful out there and you really feel the vibe.

 

“It’s not about the girls from Harare but it’s now a national show and we have girls from all over the country here today, some have even come from Blues (Bulawayo).

 

“We have ladies who have come home for Xmas from their bases in South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, UK, USA and Australia and they had a good feel of what Doek & Slay is all about.”

 

Another woman, Prisca Mutandi, told H-Metro:

 

“The beauty about Doek & Slay is that it gives a very good picture of our country, our people, that there is life in Zimbabwe and we are living it.

 

“When you read some of the things that are said about our country, especially on social media, you would think it’s a land where nothing works and we can’t have any fun here.

 

“This type of event is good and it should be televised even live on TV because it sends a good message that we are not only living but having some great fun in this country.”

 

Deputy Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Emily Jesay, who was in the company of her friends, also enjoyed the mega show.

 

Thousands of fans paid their way into the venue and were treated to excellent performances from the headline acts at the mega show.

 

The show was characterised by pomp and funfare as several musicians took turns to serenade the enthusiastic crowd.Master H had a good day at the office and has become a firm favourite with the fans who have been charmed by his hits.

 

The musician celebrated his birthday on Friday night at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex in Chitungwiza but still had the energy to produce a fine performance yesterday.

 

General Aladin has created a profile that has now earned him a place among the heavyweights on the domestic musical scene.

 

This year has seen him and his band The Bottom Camp share the stage with heavyweights like Winky D and Jah Prayzah.

 

Enzo Ishall left the crowd clamouring for more in what was probably one of his best performances.

 

His stage communication, interaction, and, of course, his body language proved that he meant business.

 

The chanter connected with the crowd with sing-along tracks like ‘Mashahwira,’ ‘Raroorwa,’ and the trending song ‘Madedido.’

 

Enzo had to come back and sing another song when his fans kept on calling him to take the stage again.

 

Tamy Moyo, performing for the first time at the event, impressed with her classic dances and an impressive set.

 

Saving the best for last was ‘Wagwizi,’ the heavyweight in the line-up.

 

Jah Prayzah has built a very good relationship with Deok & Slay.

 

And, he did not let his army of fans down as he produced a fine performance.

 

Some of those who were at the show told H-Metro were there for the fifth, eighth, or even 10th time.

 

For them, it has become a tradition as they attend every edition, no matter who plays at the event.

 

“It’s our party and we have to support it,” said one of the women.

 

“It’s cool and you can tell the guys to also have their party.”It’s an amazing theme and I can see it being copied in many countries and it will be a big hit there.

 

“It’s the power of women, nothing can stop us when we commit to something and we have committed to Doek & Slay.” _*HMetro*_