My Feli Nandi Experience: A Night of Highs, Sound Problems and a Baba Harare No-Show

_*By Judith Matanire*

Feli Nandi finally achieved what many had been waiting to see, she filled the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).

After two previous unsuccessful attempts at the venue, “A Night With Feli Nandi” had a completely different feel as fans turned up in numbers for what promised to be a memorable night.

My experience started outside the venue, where large portraits of Feli Nandi had been put up, giving fans the perfect opportunity to take pictures before entering.

At the entrance, there were separate sections for VIP and general ticket holders. At first, we found ourselves at the VIP entrance and, for a moment, were impressed by the fact that there was no queue.

Only to be told we were at the wrong entrance.

We then made our way to the general section, where there were three booths two for physical tickets and one for online tickets. There was a bit of a queue, but everything was moving smoothly.

By around 8pm, the HICC was almost full.

The supporting acts, including EXQ and Tammy Moyo, kept the crowd entertained, but there was one name that seemed to dominate conversations throughout the night — Baba Harare.

His trending song “Tsa Tsa Tsa” had clearly taken over the crowd. People were singing “Sisi Viola, Tsa Tsa Tsa”, while the MCs, KVG and Tariro Gezi, kept teasing his arrival with repeated mentions of “Baba Harare in the house.”

Then came Feli Nandi.

She delivered a powerful performance that lasted almost three hours. Vocally and on stage, our girl delivered.

However, I felt the set leaned heavily towards songs that required you to be a die-hard Feli Nandi fan to know. Some of the songs many people had come expecting were not performed early in the set.

Songs such as “Mufaro,” “Vakaita Sewe” and “Mubayei” were among those fans wanted to hear, to the point that the crowd had to demand them.

The biggest challenge of the night, however, was the sound.

From the general section, it was difficult to hear at times, with frustrated fans chanting “sound, sound”. You could actually see some people giving up and sitting down.

Despite that, Feli continued to give her all.

But the crowd wanted Baba Harare.

“Tsaa Tsaa Tsaa, takuda!” became almost a constant chant, especially from the general section.

Many of us expected Baba Harare to come out anyd perform their new collaboration with Feli. Others were hoping Feli would at least dance to “Tsa Tsa Tsa”, just like she did during the viral dance challenge.

After Feli’s performance, “Kurai Makore” followed, but the anticipation for Baba Harare did not disappear.

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.

The screen displayed: “Up Next: Baba Harare.”

The MCs announced that it was time for Baba Harare.

But instead of taking the stage, they went backstage.

They later returned to apologise and announced that Baba Harare would not be performing.

By around 2:30am, the show came to an end, with many fans leaving frustrated and angry. Baba Harare had reportedly arrived at the venue but did not perform, and he reportedly declined to speak to journalists waiting outside.

The reason for his no-show remains unclear.

So, my verdict?

Our girl delivered.

Feli Nandi filled HICC, and after two previous attempts, that is no small achievement.

But the sound problems and, above all, the Baba Harare no-show took away from what could have been an even bigger night.

Feli had the stage.

The crowd was there.

Now, if only the sound and Baba Harare had cooperated.