By Brenda Mazhambe
Zimbabwean men have purchased 90 percent of tickets for tomorrow’s Doek and Slay women’s empowerment festival, most of them as gifts for wives and girlfriends, organizers have revealed.
The event, scheduled for Sunday, August 17 at Alex Sports Club in Harare, will feature headline performances by Zimbabwean stars Alick Macheso, Nutty O, and Freeman. The top-tier line-up has been credited with driving strong advance sales.
“We’re overwhelmed by the love from these men,” said an event spokesperson. “Seeing husbands and boyfriends invest in their partners’ joy — and a lineup this big — shows how much they value women’s happiness and freedom.”
Doek and Slay is celebrated as Zimbabwe’s largest outdoor women’s event, blending music, fashion, and empowerment. Women are encouraged to dress in colourful doeks, symbolising unity and pride, while enjoying a day dedicated to self-care and celebration.
For many women, the gesture of partners buying tickets carries emotional weight. “I screamed when I saw Macheso was performing,” said Tatenda Mupunga, who received a VIP pass from her fiancé. “But what meant more was him telling me, ‘Go enjoy yourself — you deserve it.”
With ticket sales continuing to rise, tomorrow’s festival is expected to be one of Harare’s biggest cultural highlights of the year, combining entertainment, celebration, and solidarity.
The show has expanded to other cities, and has crossed to other countries such as Botswana and United Kingdom.
