Kadoma is set for a nostalgic musical revival this October as Jamaican dancehall heavyweight Beenie Man and Congolese rhumba star Awilo Longomba headline the Kadoma Music Festival.

The festival is expected to take music lovers on a journey through the late 1990s and 2000s, an era when both artists became familiar names on Zimbabwean radio, at parties, weddings and dance floors across the country.

For many Zimbabwean fans, Awilo Longomba’s return represents a celebration of the golden era of Congolese rhumba. His energetic sound and enduring catalogue became a fixture at celebrations, while his music helped define the soundtrack of an entire generation.

Beenie Man, meanwhile, brings the energy of Jamaican dancehall’s dominance during the same period. The Grammy-winning artist was among the international stars whose music helped cement dancehall as a major force on Zimbabwean airwaves.

The international headliners will be joined by a heavyweight local line-up featuring Alick Macheso, Winky D, Feli Nandi, Selmor Mtukudzi, Sulumani Chimbetu, Jnr Spragga and Chill Master.

Among the biggest anticipated crowd-pullers is Winky D, whose long-standing connection to dancehall makes him a natural fit for a festival built around musical nostalgia and cross-border influence.

The Gafa has previously shared stages with major international acts, including Jamaican stars Beenie Man, Bounty Killer and Popcaan, as well as other African artists.

His ability to command large audiences also adds a distinctly Zimbabwean dimension to a line-up that brings together sounds from Jamaica, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe.

“Winky D brings that bridge between Jamaican dancehall and Zimbabwean culture,” an organiser said. “His presence guarantees the youth turnout and adds serious weight to the local bill.”

The upcoming festival follows last year’s edition, which featured Jamaican performers Busy Signal and Christopher Martin, and organisers are hoping to build on that momentum with an even bigger celebration.

With dancehall, rhumba and Zimbabwean musical traditions sharing one stage, the Kadoma Music Festival is shaping up as a cross-generational event designed to reconnect older fans with the music of their youth while introducing younger audiences to some of the sounds that shaped Zimbabwe’s entertainment culture.

For Kadoma, the festival could also provide another major moment for the city’s live entertainment scene, bringing together established international stars and some of Zimbabwe’s most recognisable performers under one roof.