The Sunday News
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday Life Reporter
A DANCE down memory lane — a blast to the past — a five-hour journey that turned many into a nostalgic mess.
The razzmatazz, the music, the evoking of emotions was all part of a well-attended show that saw the legendary Soul Brothers serenading Bulawayo with their immortal jams on Thursday at the Large City Hall.
Having lost four original members of the group, particularly the loss of David Masondo, many thought they will never see the stage work of the old that had become associated with the South African band.
Soul brothers – Large City Hall
However, revellers who had waited patiently for “amaSololo”, as the Soul Brothers are affectionately known, until midnight were rewarded with a befitting performance.
They dished out their traditional footwork, replicating dances that had become associated with Masondo and something every fan looks forward to, during the group’s live performances.
Dr Moses Ngwenya, the remaining original band member, showed he still has the sublime touch on the keyboards that earned them many fans and came to be that distinct Soul Brothers sound.
Backed by a powerful PA system, the group dished out songs such as Hluphekile, Bazobuya, Mama ka Sibongile, Hamba Ntombi, Xolisa Umoya, Uzosala Wedwa, Isthothobala, Kuyadabukisa, Intokazi and Ukhetha Bani among other tracks from their discography.
It was a show that drew revellers from the entire social and demographic structures.
This year’s festive season saw one of the highest lists of shows being lined up for the City of Kings but undoubtable, the Soul Brothers show will stand as one of the best.
As early as 6pm, the famous inseparable twins of Entumbane suburb — Violet and Jesta Mabaisa (70) were one of the first to get the early bird tickets and were ready for the show.
People started trickling in by 8pm and in no time, the Large City Hall was packed with revellers who were all curious to witness if the 46-year-old group still had the serenation that they had been known for.
Dr Moses Ngwenya
Just after 12 midnight, radio personality and journalist Ezra Tshisa Sibanda introduced the group to the audience drawing applause from the audience.
That marked the beginning of a five-hour journey that ended just after 5am that had the audience ditching their seats for the dance floor.
Led by the founding member Ngwenya, the group sang a record 40 songs which kept people on their feet.
One of the highlights of the show was when Ngwenya observed a special dedication to the four other founding members who departed as well as relatives and friends who had succumbed to the Covid-19 pandemic.
That saw part of the audience breaking down with an emotional atmosphere engulfing the show.
The show reminded many of the 1994 Barbourfields Stadium show which filled up to the brim.
