Harare’s biggest spoken word event, Shoko Festival, will be headlined by South Africa’s multi-award winning rapper, AKA.
“The main headlining acts for the opening Friday night, September 23, are internationally acclaimed South African hip hop artist AKA and Zimbabwean dancehall star Winky D.” said the festival director, Cde Fasto.
On Saturday ,September 24, 2016, Ammara Brown will take to the stage. The ‘Mukoko’ hit-maker is expected to light up the stage with her vibrant energetic dance moves. Also performing on the same Saturday are two acts from Norway, African Sunz and Mooyah. African Sunz are an African-born duo that have a reputation in Oslo’s hip hop scene.
A comedy line up is yet to be announced.
Shoko Festival Director says this years’ theme, ‘Come Alive’ is a call to Zimbabweans to wake up, live and celebrate the country even in the midst of the challenging times we are living in.
Zimbabwe’s Museum of Human Sciences (Rotten Row) will once again host the festival on September 23 and 24, 2016. Festival Coordinator, Natalie Kombe, said that the venue is ideal for the festival as it is central and they are intending to make it the festivals permanent venue. Accord to the organisers, last year the festival had their highest attendance numbers and this is mostly attributed to the central venue.
Shoko will then move to Chitungwiza on Sunday, September 25, 2016 for their ‘Peace in the Hood’ Concert.
Shokos Main festival partners this year are Embassy of Sweden and Norwegian Peoples Aid. There will be continued collaborations with Unplugged Zimbabwe, Book Cafe, Simuka Comedy, Jibilika, Rap City, Let them Trust Schools Festival and Two broke Twimbos.
