By Nyasha Chuma
HARARE – Oh what a night!
Afro-fusion sensation Feli Nandi made history on Saturday night after selling out the 4 500-capacity Harare International Conference Centre, becoming the first female solo artist to achieve the feat at Zimbabwe’s premier indoor venue, Express Mail Zim can report.
Naysayers doubted the optics but God’s lense saw victory , talent and glory like HE bestowed on Dr Solomon Guramatunhu!
The concert, dubbed ‘A Night with Feli Nandi Vol. 9″, silenced months of industry skepticism.
Critics had dismissed her “Fill Up HICC” campaign as overly ambitious, citing structural hurdles, limited corporate backing and the commercial barriers female artists face in a music scene long dominated by male heavyweights like Alick Macheso, Jah Prayzah, Winky D and the late Oliver Mtukudzi.
Those doubts were shattered as thousands of fans packed every tier of the amphitheater, oh what a night!
This reporter was part of the bumper crowd documenting every step blow by blow and from the opening act to the final encore, the crowd sang along, danced and turned the night into a celebration of contemporary Zimbabwean music.
Backed by a live band and joined by high-profile guest performers, Nandi delivered a commanding set that showcased her vocal range and stage presence.
The performance marked a full-circle moment for the artist, who began her career as a backing vocalist for Mbeu before breaking out as a solo star.
Music industry stakeholders said the sold-out show sets a new benchmark for female artists and signals a shift in the local concert economy.
“This proves that women can headline and fill big venues on their own,” one promoter said.
“Feli has opened the door.”
Mbeu sowed the blooming seed: Former Mbeu backing vocalist Feli Nandi has written epitaph in the local music hall of fame
With HICC filled to capacity, Nandi has cemented her place as a pioneering force in Zimbabwean pop culture and given hope to a new generation of women aiming for main-stage dominance.
The versatile musician is a jack of most trades and masters what she does as she also ventures in culinary tourism (gastronomy) which is also championed by the First Lady Amai Mnangagwa.
She has however set a high bar for herself and is set for dizzy heights.
