How Chaka Chaka thrilled Kampala

Chaka Chaka on stage. Photos by Denis Nsubuga

There was so much that did not really go down well on the Shule Charity Concert night for South African iconic singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka to deliver a memorable performance on Friday night but, as everyone knew it, the show was a charity concert.

So, whoever attended the event seemingly left Serena not grumbling out of goodwill.

Rema Namakula (left) joins Chaka Chaka on stage

Even Chaka Chaka herself took it in good strides when some things seemed not right during her performance for a performer of her stature, it is no wonder she performed off a CD, as she did not come with her band.

The dance gets hotter

The event had been organised by Shule Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to expand the reach and availability of quality education to children in rural parts of Africa, and it was their first charity concert aimed at raising funds to construct a school for former street children under their care.

Businessman Gordon Wavamuno got an opportunity

So, when a blackout engulfed the venue amid Chaka Chaka's show, the crowd stood still and waited patiently for machines to be fixed. And soon as things were sorted, the party continued.

Too excited to utter a word

Hosted by comic Patrick Salvado, the night's performances had been started at 8:30pm by an Acapella boy-group Jehovah Shalom whose vocal percussion and beat boxing techniques impressed the crowd. But at that time guests were just streaming in and taking their seats.

Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine had time to forget the teargas and Police cases hanging over his head

After the boys came politician-cum-musician Bobi Wine whose performance roused the crowd off their seats as he did his songs Abalungi Balumya and Uganda, a song that referenced some political statements.

"This is how we do it in Uganda," Bobi Wine seems to tell Chaka Chaka

In between opening acts' performances, video clips showing rescued street kids and their families were shown by the organisers.

What a great family outing for the Wavamunos!!

The "Princess Of Africa" was ushered on stage at 10:00pm by South African High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E Professor Lekoa Solly Mollo, to a deafening applause and she straight away got to business.

Even the Kyagulanyis seemed to enjoy every bit of it

Sporting short hair and clad in a billowing black and white dress, she started off with a song paying tribute to iconic statesman Nelson Mandela, then followed it up with Kana Uchema.

 Selfie time 

The first two songs were not so popular here but for her flawless powerful voice and energetic performance that belied her age (53 to be exact), she captivated the guests.

 Enjoying the performance

She then did a catalogue of her songs such as the popular 1986 Burning Up and From Me To You that eventually got everyone off their seats for the rest of the night.

 Happiness killing her

Quite talkative, she engaged her audience a lot and enjoyed it. Always smiling and teasing some guests in the crowd like entrepreneur Gordon Wavamuno and politician Mike Mukula.

Captain Mike Mukula mesmerised by Chaka Chaka's talent

About the night's cause, she said "These street kids are the ones that steal your phones and bags on streets.

The dance king meets dance queen

Let us give them back their dignity and contribute. I was not paid to perform today, but I had to do it for these children."

Fans scramble for Chaka Chaka

At the time the aforementioned blackout engulfed Serena, she had weaved her way into the crowd and engaging them in a call-and-response on her reading of Aretha Franklin's You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman, alongside local singer Rema and one girl. The show was done by 11:55pm.

 Everyone wants to keep the memory in their phones