Traditionally, the month of August is known as a vibrant time for festivals, concerts, and public gatherings celebrating the rich tapestry of Zimbabwean music. However, this year is different, as the government recently announced a ban on all public events due to the 44th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government for the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which will be held in Harare on August 17, 2024.

As news of the ban spread, musicians and fans alike felt a wave of disappointment. The SADC summit is an important diplomatic event aimed at fostering regional cooperation and development, but its timing coincides with what would have been one of the busiest months for activities in Zimbabwe. Entertainment enthusiasts will have to exercise a bit more patience until the summit concludes.

Music fans who were looking forward to seeing Lee McKrazy perform at Fiesta Fiesta this August will have to wait a little longer. Fiesta Fiesta announced on their official social media that Lee McKrazy’s concert has been postponed, and organizers stated that a new date for the concert will be announced in due course.

Similarly, organizers of the biggest outdoor women’s party, “Doek and Slay,” also postponed the event, which was initially scheduled for August 11 at Alex Sports Club in Harare.

“We would like to inform you of an important change in the schedule for the Harare and Gweru editions of the Doek and Slay event. The Harare edition, initially set for August 11, will now take place on August 25. Consequently, the Gweru edition will now move to August 11. This adjustment has been necessitated out of respect for the 44th Ordinary SADC summit of Heads of State and Government, set to take place in August in Harare. Advance tickets will remain valid for the new dates,” said the organizers.

Several public gatherings that were planned, especially in Harare, including Inter-bank events and other outdoor activities, will also have to wait until the summit concludes. These postponements reflect the government’s focus on maintaining order during the high-profile summit, which involves heads of state from various member countries.