South African duo Mafikizolo are set to headline the Kwita Izina Gala Dinner slated for September 7 at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Rubavu District.

Their performance will be shortly after the annual gorilla naming ceremony during which 23 infant mountain gorillas will be named.

The dinner, an annual event, is organised by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) as part of a fundraising campaign to support mountain gorilla conservation.

The multi-award winning duo of Theo Kgosinkwe and Nhlanhla Nciza confirmed their performance at the highly anticipated event in a video on Tuesday.

"There will be entertainment during the Kwita Izina Gala Dinner. The aim of the dinner is to raise funds for conservation activities,” said Sunny Ntayombya, RDB Head of Communications and Marketing, during an interview with The New Times.

They will be joined by Gakondo Group, Traditional Drummers and a DJ whose identity has been kept a secret.

Mafikizolo’s last performance in Rwanda was in 2015 at the Mutzig Beer Fest, one of the most popular festivals in the country.

The duo has cemented its status as a force to reckon with in the African music industry thanks to tracks like Love Potion, Kucheza, Khona, a collaboration with fellow South African musician Uhuru and Happiness, featuring May D, among others.

The Kwita Izina Gala Dinner is a popular event on the Rwandan social calendar and has been growing stronger over the years, attracting visitors and entertainers from across the continent and globally.

According to RDB, last year, over Rwf 36 million was raised through ticket sales as well as an auction during the Kwita Izina Gala Dinner previously headlined by US-based artiste, The Ben, at Kigali Convention Centre.

The dinner is open to the public and entrance is $120 (roughly Rwf 100,000) for one or $1000 (roughly Rwf 850 000) for a table of 10.

Tickets are available and can be booked at different points, namely RDB offices at Gishushu or Grand Pension Plaza, Nakumatt, Frulep Supermarket, Kigali Convention Centre, Kigali Serena Hotel, Kigali Marriott Hotel and Lemigo Hotel. 

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