Has Macheso Replaced Makhadzi At His Own Festival?
The Set-Up: For weeks, South African dance sensation Makhadzi was billed as the star attraction poised to break the ice between Zimbabwean and South African artists at the inaugural Cheso Power Festival. Now, with just days to go, a quiet addition to the line-up — copyright specialists InTotal Band — has fans asking whether Makhadzi has been dropped altogether, and whether Macheso's own festival has become collateral damage in a much bigger regional standoff.
"If there are any changes, we will communicate them in due course," organisers say — but with xenophobic attacks still raging in South Africa, activists lobbying to keep Makhadzi off Zimbabwean stages, and Macheso himself cancelling a Limpopo show over safety fears, silence is starting to sound like an answer.
A New Name Appears On The Flier
The inaugural Cheso Power Festival, set for July 31 in Harare, was always going to be a big deal — a full celebration of sungura icon Alick Macheso's 28-year reign with Orchestra Mberikwazvo. But the buzz around it took on an extra layer when Makhadzi's name appeared on early promotional material, raising hopes that her set would be the moment South African and Zimbabwean artists finally shared a stage again after months of frozen cross-border bookings.
That hope has cooled considerably. InTotal Band, one of Zimbabwe's most in-demand live acts, have now been added to the programme — and their sudden inclusion has left fans wondering aloud whether they were brought in specifically to fill a Makhadzi-shaped gap rather than simply to add to the bill.
Meet The Band Riding The Wave
InTotal Band are riding a wave of growing popularity that has made them one of Zimbabwe's most sought-after live outfits. They've earned rave reviews for polished performances and a rare gift for breathing new life into timeless classics, building a reputation that stretches beyond Zimbabwe's borders.
The band's core line-up features saxophonist Joseph Chinouriri, guitarist Takakunda Mukundu, bassist Naphtali Gurity Chivandikwa, pianist Mthandazo Ian Bhebhe, and drummer Nkosana Samuel Hamandishe — a tight, road-tested unit that has made them a natural choice for high-profile events like this one.
"We have added the copyright outfit InTotal Band because the group resonates with the Cheso Power Festival audience," one of the event organisers said. "Besides the group's capacity to entertain fans with a wide selection of timeless classics, we assure attendees of an unforgettable night of entertainment."
Notably absent from that statement: any mention of Makhadzi, one way or the other. "Preparations are progressing well, and all the participating artists are eager to perform," the organiser added. "If there are any changes, we will communicate them in due course" — a line that has done little to settle the speculation.
Why Makhadzi's Spot Was Never Settled
South African artists have not performed in Zimbabwe — and Zimbabwean artists have not performed in South Africa — since the latest round of xenophobic attacks erupted in Mzansi. Makhadzi was widely expected to be the one to break that standoff, using the Cheso Power Festival as the moment cross-border performances resumed.
That no longer looks likely if the changes to the festival flier are anything to go by. Her proposed appearance, at an event meant to celebrate Macheso's life and musical legacy, has been uncertain for some time, and the addition of InTotal Band has only deepened the sense that a decision has quietly already been made.
A Bigger Storm Than One Festival
The uncertainty around Makhadzi hasn't happened in a vacuum. Some local influencers and activists, including socialite and comedienne Mai TT, have been actively lobbying for Makhadzi to be barred from performing in Zimbabwe, arguing she should hold off until normalcy returns in South Africa, where thousands of Zimbabweans have been displaced.
Macheso himself has already felt the impact of the tensions first-hand, recently cancelling a performance in Limpopo Province over concerns for the safety and security of both his fans and his team. Against that backdrop, quietly easing Makhadzi off his own festival's line-up — rather than making a public statement either way — may be the path of least resistance for organisers caught between celebration and controversy.
So Has Makhadzi Actually Been Dropped?
Nobody involved is willing to say it outright, and that's precisely what's fuelling the speculation. Organisers insist preparations are "progressing well" and that every artist is "eager to perform," but they've stopped short of confirming Makhadzi is still on the bill — and InTotal Band's arrival lines up suspiciously well with the moment her name went quiet. With the festival stacked with the likes of Freeman, Peter Moyo, Killer T, Tocky Vibes and Chillspot Family at Alex Sports Club on July 31, Macheso's 28-year milestone will be celebrated in style either way. The only question left is whether it happens with a cross-border ice-breaker, or without one.
Stay Tuned.
We'll update this story as festival organisers clarify Makhadzi's status and as more details on the line-up emerge.
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