Kadoma Festival Welcomes Global Reggae Royalty

Jamaican stars Christopher Martin and Busy Signal join Julian King and local legends for the 2025 Kadoma Music Festival at the Odyssey Hotel (image source)

A wave of reggae and dancehall stars has arrived in Zimbabwe ahead of the Kadoma Music Festival 2025, setting the stage for one of the country’s most anticipated live-music weekends. The event, hosted at the Odyssey Hotel in Kadoma, will feature Jamaican icons Christopher Martin and Busy Signal, alongside U.S.-based Zimbabwean artist Julian King, in a high-energy celebration of Caribbean and local rhythms.

Christopher Martin and Julian King landed at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Tuesday to cheering fans and flashing cameras. Busy Signal followed on Wednesday, rounding off an international lineup that has electrified Zimbabwe’s entertainment scene.

“Zimbabwe is like home to me. I can promise great reggae and great times,” said Martin on arrival. Julian King, visibly emotional as he reunited with his mother at the arrivals lounge, told reporters, “We are going to have so much fun. Everyone should come through.”

Videos of their arrivals have already gone viral on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, adding to pre-event buzz. This year’s Kadoma Music Festival boasts a genre-blending roster that unites dancehall, Afro-fusion, and pop.

Confirmed Headliners:

• Christopher Martin (Jamaica)

• Busy Signal (Jamaica)

• Julian King (USA/Zimbabwe)

• Winky D, Alick Macheso, Feli Nandi, Freeman, and Kurai Makore (Zimbabwe)
  

Festival organisers say the cross-continental bill underscores Zimbabwe’s growing role as a regional music hub. “We want to make Kadoma the home of African-Caribbean collaboration,” an organiser mentioned.

According to Visit Zimbabwe Tourism, the event is expected to draw thousands of local and regional visitors, injecting much-needed revenue into Kadoma’s hospitality and transport sectors. The Odyssey Hotel has been converted into a full festival village, with multi-stage setups, artisan markets, and local cuisine on offer. Organisers also confirmed enhanced safety and crowd-control systems.

Key Features Include:

• Main stage performances by international headliners

• Chill zones featuring acoustic sets and DJ mixes

• VIP lounges and meet-and-greet opportunities

• Cashless transactions at all stalls for convenience

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Security and medical staff will be deployed across the venue, while National Arts Council of Zimbabwe representatives will monitor compliance with event standards.

Practical Details for Festival-Goers:

• Gates open from 2:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday

• Hourly shuttles will operate between Harare and Kadoma

• Attendees are urged to arrive early for better viewing positions

• Organisers maintain a no-refund policy and strict security checks
  

Entertainment analysts note that large-scale festivals like Kadoma’s increasingly serve as economic engines for smaller cities. According to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, domestic leisure travel has surged 18% year-on-year, with music events among the main catalysts for hospitality growth.

As Zimbabwe positions itself as a live-music destination in southern Africa, partnerships with Jamaican and American artists signal renewed confidence in the nation’s creative economy. With top-tier performances, cultural exchange, and business spin-offs, the Kadoma Music Festival 2025 promises to be more than just a party — it’s a statement about Zimbabwe’s place on the global entertainment map.

For reggae lovers, Kadoma is the place to be this weekend.