Diary Page 4: Biggest Braai

So over the weekend Delta wanted to make history by holding the biggest braai in the history of Zimbabwe and they did pull it off. Well by the mere mention of Delta the turn-up was always going to be huge, Zimbo's and Beer go hand in hand like bhurugwa nebhande. So like anyone I also wanted to be part of history so gathered the guys and a plan was made. 

After some search on google maps, we finally headed towards the beer & meat fest. We reached there at around 5 pm, after the sun had finished its show off. Parking was a challenge but well it's to be expected at any huge event. The first big challenge we faces was getting tickets....yjoooh there was so much commotion. One of our friends had to get into ninja mode in order to get in a position where he can buy tickets. We got out tickets and headed inside.

Now as we got in noone really paid attention to the stage and music, the mind and focus was on redeeming the coupons and getting to the main event, braaing.  The lines to redeem the meat coupons were reasonable, so we redeemed our 5 coupons and got loads of meat. So two of us, me included headed for the braai stands whilst the other three went to get the beers/drinks...more manpower was needed there because if you have been to any major show locally you know how hectic it is to buy beer, worse off everyone wanted to redeem their coupon as fast as possible fearing stories if you delay. 

Braaing was supposed to be as simple as putting one's meat on the 200m long braai stands...it was not. So the big braai stands were occupied by these braai masters, who were braaing for those who did not want to do it for themselves. So we got to one braai stand where the braaimaster was using less than half of the braai stand, we laid out meat to one corner and got to business. Two minutes later this guy comes with tongs and started removing our meat saying i'm using the braai stand so you go braai at the single braai stands that were packed to the last piece of metal on the braai stand grill. 

He was like

 "This is my braai stand and I have my own meat, which i'm braaing for people so give me your tickets and i'll give you meat.!!!!"

And we like 

"Hey we did not know of that option, we already redeemed our coupons at the tents, hanti you the same people, regardless, we don't mind braaing on our own, we'll just use this corner you are not using"

He was like

"No!! No !! No!! give me your tickets and I'll give you meat, you cannot braai here!!! We are not the same company, ini I have my meat, ivo vane yavo!!!!"

Us

"Aika!!!!"

So we went back and forth like that for minutes until we gave up and moved to another braai stand and even there it was a hustle. We had to pay the guy some cash so he could give a us a corner to braai on!!!!!!. After like 30 mins we finished and went to look for the guys who had gone for the drinks. Luckily when we located them, there were just finishing the battle for the drinks. We searched for a spot and got to the eating. Halfway through our featuring Ammara Brown was introduced to the stage.

Her set started slowly, we could hear the afro pop vibe of her music but the response was a bit low, or maybe it was because we were far from the stage. After the feasting we went closer to the stage and that was when Ammara's set was heating up. As we got there, she started performed Kure Kure (a hit jam  she featured on) and got the whole ground singing along. After that she called up her sister Chengeto for their dancehall jam Watchu Want and they gave a good performance, loved the dances and energy. Next up she called Tarimari, another relative of Ammara....since listening to her Kumusha Album I'm one of her biggest fan and that was a very welcomed surprise. Loved their performance and was definitely impressed by Tarimari, the sound changed to a more tradtional/jazz vibe a change front Ammara's afro pop kind of sound and I loved it. Also Tarimari's music is full of energy (Kumusha, Gomo Remafaro, Shushu), so was expecting to see if she is as energetic and ya she gave a glimpse with some traditional inspired dances. After that glimpse I'm open to attending her shows, a friend of mine was like "that girl is good " after they finished performing the track. After Tarimari left the stage Ammara then kicked into top gear with a superb Mukoko performance, she had the whole ground dancing and singing along. When one thought she could not get people more crazy she closed her set with Mawere Kongonya a classic jam by her late father Andy Brown...the jam had everyone dancing, singing along, whistling. She even called up her sister Chengeto and the finished the set on a very high note. This was my first Ammara performance and she impressed me greatly, she has a lot of energy, her band is good, great vocals.....the only thing missing is a long catalog of hits. Yes she has featured on some major hits such as Kure Kure, Mukoko and Bhachura....but she needs her own hits to complete the image and hype that she already has. Her upcoming album Ammartia will be a major turning point in her career.

Up next was Chucknosis. He gave a good performance, he belted out some classic dancehall tunes and got the masses dancing. He was good but I was dissapointed in that instead of showcasing his mixing skills which I have heard on radio he just concentrated on dropping hits. For many that's not bad, personally I'm a deep house fan so good mixing is a priority for me.

Up next was the superstar Oliver Mtukudzi and he opened his set with my favourite track from his new album, Bhiza Ramambo. There was no Hugh Masekela with the saxophone but regardless the track was sounding good. Personally I always felt that Tuku's new tracks are not as magical as the oldies and the response of the fans, in terms of singing along and paying attention confirmed my observations. When he belted out tracks like Tsika Dzedu you could see the difference. Regardles Tuku always give a standard performance and he did the same on this show. He pulled a major surprise towards the end of his track Vakomana Vamazuva Ano when Stunner jumped on stage and started rapping. It was not something I was expecting and so was the majority. Stunner got the crowd hyped, waving and singing along during his short cameo then paid his respects to Tuku and left. 

Tuku finished continued with his set in a signature Tuku fashion. He closed his set with Pata Pata which had a lot of people dancing a singing along.

Up next was the Kwekwe Hustler Dj Stavo. Stavo is gaining a lot of reputation as is being regarded as one of the best local deejays and if you have been to one of his shows, you will understand why many are loving the guy. He started his set a bit edgy as the tracks were cutting off but once he got everything under control he gave the crowd a taste of the Stavo experience. He delivered a good set and his stock will continue to rise after this show. 

Up next was the chairman of Zim Dancehall Killer T. Unfortunately from the onset his lack of a live band put me off and then I suddenly realised how tired I was!! it appeared the other guys felt the same and we decided to call it a day. He needs to invest in a live band, Winky upgraded and it did wonders for him, Freeman is also now using a band and his status is rising.....Killer T and others need to invest in live bands.

So ya, that was it for the Big Braai. Beisides the beer and meat Ammara Brown and Stavo really put stood above the rest..solid performances. In the morning heard that over 12 000kgs was consumed!!!!!... applause to all my fellow Zimbos who attended, we made history. Lastly a big thank you to Delta and Castle Lager Zim....let this be an annual event.

Proud_Zimbo