TAWANDA CHARI
There are events you attend, and then there are events you experience with everything in you; events that linger on in the mind. Events that when you wake up deep in the middle of the night you just go, "well, that was fire". Carpe Diem belongs firmly in the latter category.
From the moment the gates opened at Old Hararians Sports Club, the atmosphere carried a different kind of energy. House music lovers, amapiano fanatics, lifestyle enthusiasts and socialites all gathered under Harare’s skies for what turned into one of the city's most memorable musical experiences of the year. People danced. People vibed. People sang along. The crowd moved as one throughout the day and deep into the night, creating the kind of environment that reminds you why events like Carpe Diem continue to matter.
A huge amount of credit has to go to Ngoma Nehosho, whose hospitality and event execution once again proved why Carpe Diem has become one of Zimbabwe's premier lifestyle experiences. The organisation, the atmosphere, the crowd management and the overall feel of the event made it easy for attendees to simply enjoy themselves and immerse themselves in the music.
The lineup was stacked from start to finish, with local and regional DJs delivering impeccable sets that kept the momentum alive throughout the day. Every transition felt intentional and every act understood the assignment.
But if there was one artist who truly owned the night, it was De Mthuda. The South African amapiano heavyweight delivered what was easily one of the standout performances of the entire festival. Sgud Snyc, John Wick, Maplankeng, Ebumnandini, Weekend Aziwe, and Diwa Kae moved the crowd in spectacular fashion. A perfect hour by all accounts. By the time he was done, the dancefloor was fully locked in.
If De Mthuda delivered one of the night's biggest musical moments, DJ Zinhle provided some of its most electric. The South African superstar commanded the stage with superior confidence and charisma that have made her one of the continent's most respected DJs. At one point, she literally stood on top of the decks as the crowd erupted beneath her, turning an already energetic set into a full blown spectacle. Surrounded by her best friends and feeding off the crowd's energy, she guided attendees through anthem after anthem as Old Hararians sang along to hits like Baba Yilwa, Umlilo, My Name Is (Mixed), Mamma, Indlovu, and more.
While the international acts delivered as expected, one of the biggest talking points from the event came from closer to home.
Beyond any doubt, Kotwane Hikwa is a superstar DJ. The Bulawayo-born selector brought confidence, control and an understanding of crowd dynamics that separated him from many of his peers. His set was one of the most engaging of the day, drawing huge reactions from attendees and proving once again why he continues to rise within Zimbabwe's house music scene.
At this point, the question almost asks itself: can we have Kotwane Hikwa back in December? Because judging by the crowd response, many people would happily welcome another Carpe Diem appearance.
One of the most satisfying aspects of Carpe Diem Episode 4 was the attention given to local music. Tashinga deserves special mention for a set that celebrated Zimbabwean sounds and reminded us of the depth of talent within the country's music scene. Hearing Verseless' Susan ring through the speakers was a beautiful moment, with many in the crowd singing every word back. He also gave space to his own crowd favourite Mwenje, creating a set that felt proudly local and deeply connected to the audience. For those of us who appreciate thoughtful curation, it was a moment that genuinely satisfied the soul.
The other local acts were equally up to the task. DJ Takue Made The Beat opened the day with some pointed intentionality; Sikhulile proved he is a name you might want to start paying attention to more (and he also covered for T Bass as the latter delayed his set); Pretty Gangsta delivered a memorable Amapiano-laden set; and Nizhe De Soul is definitely another superstar DJ.
The night closed with a hard-hitting set from Enoo Napa, full of pulsating Afro House anthems. When he was performing his set, a noticeable number of attendees was making its way out, but that did diminish the verve he brought in any way. If anything, Enoo Napa's set was filled with an exuberance you only find at Carpe Diem. For any Afro House enthusiast, Enoo Napa's set was like living your dreams. And on this it is important we emphasize a point raised by our good comrades at Greedysouth -- Afro House "as a distinctive genre is still niche in Zimbabwe".
What makes Carpe Diem special is the culture around it. It's the beautiful people, the conversations, the fashion, the friendships, the music and the feeling that for one day everyone is there for the same reason, and that is to enjoy themselves in an unfettered manner. So yeah, Episode 4 delivered exactly that. Harare danced, vibed, and showed up proper.
While the event was largely well organized and enjoyable, there remains room for improvement when it comes to post event traffic and parking management. As attendees exited the venue, this writer witnessed a motorist sideswipe a parked vehicle before speeding away without stopping. While isolated incidents can happen at any large gathering, additional security presence and traffic marshals around parking areas during departure could help improve accountability and provide greater peace of mind for patrons.
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