Organisers of the Mighty Zambezi Lager Bonfire Festival, scheduled to take place at Donnybrook Park in Harare on 4 July 2026, have officially updated the event lineup, confirming that South African artist Musa Keys will no longer be performing at the festival.

According to updated promotional material released by the organisers, the festival will now place a stronger emphasis on Zimbabwean artists and local entertainment.

The decision comes amid ongoing debate on social media regarding the participation of some South African artists at events in Zimbabwe.

Despite the lineup change, organisers have stated that the festival will continue with its original vision of celebrating Zimbabwean music, culture, storytelling and the country’s outdoor entertainment experience.

The removal of Musa Keys has sparked further discussion online, with some social media users linking the decision to growing calls by certain groups for Zimbabwe to prioritize local artists during a period of heightened regional tensions.

In another news, South African Afro-pop duo Mafikizolo will no longer perform at the Buddie Beatz Concert scheduled for July 5 in Victoria Falls, the Daily News has learnt.

Although organisers have not officially confirmed the development, well-placed sources say the decision was influenced by security concerns amid growing public tension over the duo’s scheduled appearance.

The development comes against the backdrop of anti-foreigner protests in parts of South Africa, which have heightened anxiety among migrant communities and sparked strong reactions across the region.

In Zimbabwe, Mafikizolo’s planned performance had generated widespread debate, with some citizens calling on organisers to reconsider hosting South African artists while concerns over the treatment of Zimbabweans in South Africa remain unresolved.

Buddie Beatz, a brand of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, has since removed promotional posts featuring Mafikizolo from its social media platforms, further indicating the duo’s withdrawal from the event.

Despite the change to the lineup, the concert is expected to proceed as scheduled after the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, with the remaining artists still set to perform.

The development underscores how wider regional tensions can spill over into the arts and entertainment sector, highlighting the need for dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful engagement while ensuring the safety of artists, audiences and all those involved.

Attempts to get comment from Musa Keys and Mafikizolo were not available at the time of publishing.