Of virtual concerts, merrymaking

By Joseph Murambiwa

Yearend parties punctuate the end of an old year, ushering in a new one, with artists and promoters cashing in on live shows and revellers partying the night away in various celebratory gigs.
However, it still remains to be seen whether this year the festivities will be the same as there are restrictions posed by the raging Covid-19 pandemic, with the police out in full force to quash any gatherings attended by more than 100 attendees.
Promoters and artists bore the brunt of the lockdown imposed by Government in March and some fell on hard times, but they got back up and utilised the digital space which encompassed YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to hold “live” shows and earning something through corporate partners who were pushing their brands.
Mobile network service provider, Econet Wireless, is set to host a similar online musical concert on the December 31 heralding the close of the “iKhisimusi sifikile/Kisimusi yatosvika” (Christmas is Here!) promotion running from November 19 to 31 December 2020.
The promotion will see lucky subscribers winning several gifts valued at over Z$10 million.
Dr Douglas Mboweni, Econet Group chief executive officer, has said despite all the challenges bedevilling the economy, the mobile phone operator saw it fit to celebrate and shower its customers with Christmas gifts as appreciation for their loyal support despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are giving our customers the assurance that even though it was a tough year, we still very much appreciate their custom and business, and have prepared a Christmas gift for them,” he said.
The largest mobile network operator has also lined up eight online regional shows where customers stand a chance to win prizes.
“Over 120 prizes worth $4 million will be issued at every show, which will be broadcast live on Star FM and Radio Zimbabwe,” said the company’s chief commercial officer, Mr Navdeep Kapur.
On December 31, Econet Zimbabwe will also host a live musical concert online and at least 120 participants are expected to win prizes worth $1.5 million during the end-of-year musical concert.
However, it still remains to be seen whether the live virtual show will live up to its billing as there are growing concerns over regulations meant to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Given the magnitude of such an event, where big names in the entertainment industry which include Killer T, Ammara Brown, Alick Macheso, Charles Charamba and Jah Prayzah are billed to perform, would it be logistically possible to hold the live show, given that more than 100 people would be required to prepare the event?
Barely two weeks ago, the Best of Both World’s Concert featuring Winky D and Jah Prayzah was cancelled at the eleventh hour despite following all the rules.
The venue was expected host 100 live guests in line with Covid-19 regulations, with the rest that were not on the list expected to pay-per-view to watch the two-hour long show.
Guests were left stranded after the show was cancelled, with some social media users arguing it was a direct attack on Winky D who is deemed to be an opposition party sympathiser.
However, the promoters of the show said it was not cancelled but postponed
With the stage already set, masters of ceremonies ready to rock, police dispersed the few angry revellers that had secured seats in the auditorium.
Kurima said the show was scheduled to take place between 6pm and 8pm but the organisers had a series of meetings with various officials who were “doing verifications”.
With only a few days before the live virtual concert by the service provider, it still remains to be seen whether it will go on as planned or it will suffer a stillbirth like the Best of Both World’s Concert. Nhau/Indaba