Bongo Maffin Brings Nostalgia and Homecoming Spirit to OMiFa Festival
Legendary South African kwaito and Afro-pop group, Bongo Maffin, has touched down in Zimbabwe for the much-anticipated second edition of the Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival of the Arts (OMiFa), running from today, September 19 to Saturday, September 20 at Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton.
For the group’s Zimbabwe-born member, Jah Seed real name Adrian Anesu Mupemhi the event is more than just another stage.
“It is personally beyond my imagination. To participate in a festival honouring someone like Oliver Mtukudzi, a man we grew up listening to alongside Thomas Mapfumo, is such a humbling feeling.
“These are the artistes who carried the flag of Zimbabwean music from the 1970s into the new millennium. To be invited to honour Tuku is an honour I’ll carry forever.”
The award-winning group, formed in the mid-1990s and known for timeless hits such as Thathi Sgubhu and The Way Kungakhona, continues to resonate with audiences across generations.
Jah Seed attributes Bongo Maffin’s longevity to both their adaptability and the fans who have stood by them.
“The group has stood the test of time because of the music we’ve made and the fans who’ve connected with it.
“Change is constant, and we’ve survived because we’ve been able to adapt while staying true to themes of love, resistance, self-awareness, and our African identity. That’s what has kept us relevant,” he said.
While the group has not released a full project in recent years, Jah Seed hinted that new music could be on the horizon.
“You can never say never. Sometimes music comes to us, sometimes we go to it. We’re not young anymore, but music keeps calling. Fans can definitely expect one or two tracks soon, if not an album,” he teased.
As Zimbabweans gear up to celebrate Oliver Mtukudzi’s enduring legacy through OMiFa, Jah Seed remains deeply grateful for the support the group has enjoyed since its inception.
“To the Bongo Maffin fans thank you, thank you, thank you! When we started this journey, we challenged ourselves to believe we could make it.
“Those who came before us inspired us, and now being invited to honour one of the greatest artistes who inspired me is out of this world,” he said.
The OMiFa Festival promises a nostalgic yet fresh celebration of Zimbabwean and African artistry, with Bongo Maffin’s performance expected to be one of its standout highlights.
