TAKUDZWA HILLARY CHIWANZA & TAWANDA CHARI
HARARE – There are nights when Harare truly gets it right, moving in sync with all the essentials of what blissful music is; nights when the music is not merely confined to being "one of those events" or just background noise but a true living, pulsing force -- when basslines breathe life into the city and every drop feels like a spiritual, cathartic release. Last Saturday was one of those nights. Harare's house music faithful were in for a spectacular treat as Ngoma Nehosho's Carpe Diem event lived up to its billing on the 17th of May, 2025 at First Capital Bank Sports Club, lighting up the decks and reaffirming its place as one of the most anticipated dates on the capital’s entertainment calendar.
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| Image: PT Chimusoro via X |
Held under bright skies and lively anticipation that gradually cascaded into a memorable winter night, Carpe Diem was a celebration of impeccable organisation and even more impressive performances. From the jump, it was evident that the event was carefully curated with house music lovers in mind. What unfolded was more than a party -- it was a bold attestation: Harare’s dance music culture is maturing, and the people are ready to dance deep.
The absolutely brilliant DJs delivered sets that were immersive, mindful, and ecstatic; creating indelible memories for all groove lovers who attended. Even if one might have approached the event with lingering skepticism, we are pretty sure by the time the event concluded their minds had been convinced in the positive.
Organisation: Top-tier timekeeping and intentional planning
Few events in Zimbabwe’s nightlife landscape can boast the level of coordination displayed by Carpe Diem. In fact, it may well be among the most well-organized events we’ve experienced in recent memory.
What stood out the most was the good timekeeping. Events in this part of the world are often plagued by late starts and jumbled schedules -- but not Carpe Diem. Everything kicked off exactly at the time it was advertised. This allowed fans to plan their day effectively, showing up at specific times to catch their favourite acts. For a multi-DJ lineup with acts scattered throughout the day, such punctuality was not only refreshing -- it was essential. We totally loved it.
Even the media accreditation process was handled with grace and patience. It was flawless. Organisers went above and beyond, waiting more than an hour past the cut-off to ensure all coverage teams could still access the venue and capture the magic. Who doesn't love that? With this said, we turn to the DJ performances.
DJ SpunJ and Deenice
Opening the stage at 12 midday, DJ SpunJ delivered a low-tempo, introspective hip-hop set. Think Kendrick Lamar deep cuts and laid-back beats. While the crowd was still building, the vibe was a chilled welcome to the day. It wasn’t flashy, but it was appropriate for the early afternoon lull.
Following in a similar vein, Deenice kept the energy mellow. His mix, perhaps even more laid-back than SpunJ’s, created the perfect sonic backdrop for early arrivals to reconnect, socialize and slowly ease into the day. A suitable soundtrack for warm greetings and nostalgic catch-ups. As general music DJs who were given an opportunity to warm the stage for the main acts, they managed their slots in a gracious manner.
Mimi
Mimi flipped the switch. As the venue filled up and drinks began flowing, she brought the energy the crowd didn’t know they needed. Proceeding in an ascending manner, she breathed life life into the event, with a textured deep house, afrohouse and techno blend that felt truly intentional and immersive. And she marked a turning point for the event -- being upbeat and rhythmic; just precisely what was needed to elevate the atmosphere.
She had the people moving, vibing and fully locked in. Her intuitive reading of the crowd made her one of the standout acts of the day. She was less about the hype and more about awakening the venue. With tracks such as Nutty Nys Remix of Lazarusman's Here We Are and Sinday by the The Jargons & ZuluMafia, she set the right mood for the party to start.
DJ Sfiso
Representing Bulawayo with pride, DJ Sfiso kept the momentum going with an amazing Amapiano set. Her selections were crisp, her transitions clean and her connection with the audience palpable. Small dance routines, sing-alongs and plenty of footwork followed. A strong showing. This was our first time witnessing a DJ Sfiso set, and we left amazingly satisfied. Exhibiting an authoritative knowledge of music as she leaned heavily towards amapiano, she blessed the crowd with familiar hits such as Kelvin Momo's Molo featuring Mr Maker and Smash SA, Masithokoze featuring DJ Stokie & Eemoh, Ngisakuthanda by Zee Nxumalo & TBO, and Dlala Ka Yona by DJ Maphorisa, XDuppy & Enny Man Da Guitar.
TAPIWA
A familiar name (at least to us because we have seen his sets before), Harare’s favourite booth baddie didn’t disappoint. TAPIWA's set was electric -- so much so that people in the admission line came in asking who he was. That level of buzz speaks volumes. His set simply oozed confidence and history, traversing the world of afrohouse with magnificent ease.
You could tell -- this wasn’t just a gig for him. It was a mission to move bodies. He mixed with a frenetic precision that screamed experience.
The energy he brought made his early slot feel like prime time. The crowd didn't just listen; they submitted. From his fire remix of Enzo Ishall's Kanjiva, to another remix of DBN Gogo, Tyler ICU & LeeMcKrazy's Balimele with Simbai, and to Stardust's Music Sounds Better With You, there was no doubt that TAPIWA had delivered all his energy into such an amazing set.
Ash-T
Taking the baton from TAPIWA, DJ Ash-T kept the tempo steady and the crowd alive. Another Bulawayo representative, he leaned more piano but never let the energy drop. A standout moment came with Ubomi Abumanga by Sun El Musician and Msaki -- soulful, rich, and perfectly placed. Another was when he dropped Nitefreak and Roland Clarke's smash hit Masterclass, and that moment truly felt like a communion. And oh, he also delivered his remix of Shallipopi's Laho. His set was a continuation, not a competition, and that cohesion made it memorable. It was a sustained sonic high. Bulawayo was well and ably represented with Sfiso's and Ash-T's sets.
MadeHerBelieve
Arguably the best set of the day, or at the very least in everyone’s top two. It was a genre-bending interlude, as he took us on a musical journey rooted in pop, hip-hop, RnB, and dancehall. MadeHerBelieve took the audience on a nostalgic journey with seamless transitions and perfectly timed drops. For a full hour, nobody sat down—he had total control of the room, and it was a performance worthy of every dollar spent. Even though some tracks did not get the space and attention they deserved, he showcased a thorough level of musical knowledge.
Jay
Following up such a powerful set is no easy task but Jay, who was also celebrating his birthday, rose to the occasion -- with his set marking the resumption of the theme of the event: house music. His mix was lush, bringing a euphoric array of sound with Dlala Thukzin's Sihlala Sisonke, Francis Mercier's remix of Miishu & Emmanuel Jal's Yuma, Drumetic Boyz's Flow, and Nitefreak's remix of RÜFÜS DU SOL's Fire/Desire. Not only did he keep the crowd on their feet, but he was so impressive that organisers brought him back to fill in due to the delay in the headline set. Stellar track selection, crisp transitions -- Jay perfectly understood the assignment; and most importantly, celebrated his birthday in style.
Thakzin
His set was a tale of two halves. The first 30 minutes were low-tempo, perhaps intentionally giving the crowd a chance to breathe after hours on their feet. But the final half-hour? You could not help but feel that Thakzin -- the originator of 3-step house -- had brought some heavyweight presence from Johannesburg. A calculated slow build that paid off beautifully, with gems like The Road is Long by Thakzin, Mo-T, and Mas Musiq, Sukuma by MÖRDA, Thakzin & Bekzin Terris, New Chapter by Dankie Boy and Argento Dust, his remix of DJ Kent's Horns in The Sun and Mpho.Wav's UNDERGROUND (the latter being a masterful conclusion to his set). His set was soulful and layered.
Kabza De Small
The King of Amapiano. Kabza delivered a masterclass. Though he wasn’t supposed to perform in that slot, he stepped in because Kelvin Momo was running late. The crowd's response was euphoric. Word-for-word singalongs. Pure musical bliss. That one hour felt like 30 minutes -- it was that good. And we wanted more. He delivered a breathtaking display, easily making him the unrivalled best set of the night. Familiar hits that made him the crown jewel of amapiano became the order of the night -- Mbambeni, Amazwe, Imithandazo, Asibe Happy, Umshove, Indaba Ka Bani, REKERE YA DUBAI, Abalele, Emncimbini, and 66 (Felo Le Tee & Myztro). Him arriving early and being willing to adapt made it even more special. His was a was clean, polished, and magnetic, appended with a smoothness that only comes with mastery.
Kelvin Momo
The only sour note of the night. One and a half hours late and the performance didn’t quite land. Fatigue had set in, and many fans had already emotionally checked out after Kabza’s phenomenal set. The general consensus is that his performance was more of an anticlimax, subduing what had been a sensational event. Some sections of the crowd still vibed, but it was hard to escape the sense that this was a missed opportunity.
Final Verdict
Carpe Diem was a brilliant success -- one of the finest house music events Zimbabwe has seen this year. It set the bar high in terms of both organisation and artistry. With its attention to timing, hospitality and an undeniably fire lineup, it delivered value and memories in equal measure. Harare danced with no reservations. And it felt like freedom.
If the Carpe Diem brand continues at this remarkable level, it’s well on its way to becoming an unshakeable institution on Zimbabwe’s live event calendar.
Event rating: 8/10
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