NetOne 263 Culture Fest draws record crowd as Shimza brings the house down
THE fourth edition of the NetOne 263 Culture Fest recorded its highest attendance since its inception, as thousands of revellers thronged Thorn Park Polo Club for a day of music, food and entertainment.
The festival, which celebrates food and music, offered a variety of culinary experiences, with brands such as La Casa, RocoMamas and others serving up an assortment of dishes.
The event kicked off shortly after lunch, with local DJs Shaku Chante, Made A Believe and Takue Made The Beat warming up the crowd as numbers gradually swelled.
Festival MC Nomuzi “Moozlie” Mabena brought her impeccable presenting skills and classy outfits to the stage, changing her wardrobe several times throughout the show. This time around, she was joined by local MC Vele Vele, with the pair displaying an impressive chemistry that kept the crowd engaged.
Madadido brought unmatched energy to the stage as the Zimbabwean dancehall star delivered crowd favourites such as “Madede” and “Haisi Give”.
Amapiano sensation Sam Deep, known for his hit “Shela”, also put on a solid performance, setting the tone with his signature sound.
Veteran South African hip-hop artist K.O raised the bar with an impressive catalogue of hits, taking revellers down memory lane with tracks such as “Cara Cara”. He also revisited his Teargas days with “Mhlobo Wami”, drawing an enthusiastic response from the crowd as he wrapped up his set.
Amapiano vocalist Babalwa M showcased her vocal prowess with songs such as “Amalobolo”, a track that became a defining song of the private school amapiano sound, and “Sisukakude”. Revellers sang along to her hits, creating one of the memorable moments of the afternoon.
Funky OLA, performing in Harare for the first time, left a lasting impression on revellers with his distinctive blend of two-step amapiano and Afro-tech.
The main headline act, DJ Shimza, proved why he is regarded as one of the leading DJs in the business.
Shimza made his debut on DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs 2026 list, entering at number 75, and he lived up to his growing international reputation with a high-energy Afro-tech set fused with deep house.
The South African DJ brought the house down, bringing the curtain down on another thrilling edition of the NetOne 263 Culture Fest.
