By Edward Makuzva
Reggae has long occupied a quiet corner of the Zimbabwe’s musical landscape, often overshadowed by genres like Zimdancehall, Afro-pop, and sungura. But despite its low profile, the genre has endured—upheld by a devoted underground community and passionate artists who keep the fire burning.
Now, that fire is stepping into the spotlight.
Enter Reggae Roadblock, a vibrant new festival celebrating the heartbeat of Zimbabwean reggae. More than just a concert, the event chronicles the genre’s local evolution, its deep cultural roots, and the spiritual bridge connecting Zimbabwe to Jamaica’s revolutionary soundscape. It is both a tribute to reggae’s enduring spirit and a rallying call for unity within the movement.
Festival Director Rugare Mutasa beamed with pride as she reflected on the journey that led to this moment.
“It’s a really exciting day for us—the debut show for Reggae Roadblock,” she said. “It’s the first of many. We are aiming for this to become a consistent platform, and we are thrilled with how beautifully everything has come together.”
Mutasa acknowledged the challenges of launching the event, describing it as “an uphill climb,” but emphasized that the effort was paying off.
“The artists are motivated. They have poured their hearts into rehearsals. We have seen them working around the clock, and now we are looking forward to an unforgettable show”, Mutasa explained.
Mutasa reaveled that the inaugural lineup features a powerful blend of reggae veterans and fresh voices: Ras Jabu (Trevor Hall), Dino Mudondo, Sniper Storm, and rising talents Mannex Motsi, Bushe, Boss, Helga, Trinity Musonza, aka Satisfaction and Junior Bantan—the visionary behind the festival concept. Holding the rhythm steady behind the decks is DJ Mr. Muffin, ready to carry the vibe from start to finish.
Interest has been strong, and the team hopes this first event will lay the foundation for a nationwide reggae revival.
“We see this as a benchmark,” Mutasa said. “Every edition should grow—bigger, better, more refined. That’s the goal.”
Looking ahead, Reggae Roadblock isn’t staying put. Mutasa revealed that plans are already underway to take the show on tour across Zimbabwe.
“As soon as this event wraps up, we’ll be reaching out to sponsors and scouting for venues. Wherever the opportunity comes first—that’s where we will go.”
Beyond entertainment, the festival aims to unify Zimbabwe’s scattered reggae scene and elevate its collective voice.
Veteran reggae artist Trevor Hall aka Ras Jabu reflected on the event’s significance.
“One mic, one band, one stage. That’s the message—unity. Reggae has always stood for one love, one people, one destiny.”
He added that reggae’s power lies in its diversity, with artists bringing their own unique flavors to a shared rhythm.
“You’ll hear different voices, different styles—but still that same pulse. That’s what makes reggae powerful. It lets us express ourselves while staying connected through one vibration” Hall added.
Chido Musasiwa, founder of Let Them Trust, shared the inspiration behind the initiative.
“When we started brainstorming, we realized Zimbabwe’s reggae artists were scattered—each with their own band, their own gigs. There wasn’t a shared space”, Musasiwa explained.
Musasiwa added that with Reggae Roadblock, the vision was simple: build a unified home for reggae.
“We want to show that by working together—sharing bands, stages, and energy—we can create something bigger. Reggae is about oneness. This platform brings that philosophy to life”, She said.
Musasiwa envisions Reggae Roadblock as a mobile movement.
“After Harare, we’re planning shows in Kadoma, Chegutu, Beitbridge, and Kwekwe. Eventually, we’ll expand the lineup—volume two, volume three—featuring new and upcoming artists.”
The long-term dream? A pan-African reggae showcase.
“We’re starting local, but we’re aiming high. We want to include artists from Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare, and beyond. In time, we hope to bring in regional and international acts.”
She laid out an ambitious schedule.
“If the budget allows, we want to host a Reggae Roadblock every four months. By the sixth edition, we’re aiming for a regional artist. By the twelfth? An international headliner” , said Musasiwa.
Reggae Roadblock is more than an event—it’s a movement. A bold step to bring reggae out of the shadows and into the spotlight it deserves. With a message of unity, rhythm, and revolution, it’s ready to carve a lasting space in Zimbabwe’s musical story.