By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE – When the Castle Tankard returns to Borrowdale Racecourse on 9 May 2026, the horses will have to share the spotlight.
Delta Corporation has announced a music lineup that reads like a festival bill, placing Zimbabwe’s most enduring sungura superstar alongside two of the country’s fastest-rising female acts.
The 66th edition of the legendary horse race will feature the incomparable Alick Macheso, plus Nisha Ts and Ndunge Yut, with more acts still to be confirmed.
For Irimayi Muzorewa, Marketing Director at Delta Corporation, the entertainment bill is not an afterthought – it is central to the event’s identity.
“Join us for a well-balanced day of entertainment featuring the incomparable Alick Macheso, plus rising acts including Nisha Ts and Ndunge Yut, and more,” Muzorewa said in a statement.
“This is more than just a race – it’s an iconic Castle Lager experience. We invite you to Live It. Feel It. Share It. with us, as it all comes together with a Castle.”
The booking of Macheso is a crowd-pleasing masterstroke. Now decades into a career that shows no sign of slowing, the sungura king commands a fanatical following across generations.
His live performances are known for marathon sets, intricate guitar interplay, and a lyrical depth that transforms dancefloors into congregations.
For the Borrowdale crowd – a mix of racing purists, socialites, and casual day-trippers – Macheso offers a unifying soundtrack.
But Delta Corporation has clearly looked beyond legacy bookings.
The inclusion of Nisha Ts and Ndunge Yut signals an intentional reach toward younger, more urban audiences.
Both artists have built substantial followings through a blend of Afro-pop, R&B, and dancehall influences, leveraging streaming platforms and social media to bypass traditional radio gatekeeping.
Nisha Ts, known for her sultry vocals and confident stage presence, has become a fixture on Harare’s live circuit. Ndunge Yut, meanwhile, brings a harder-edged energy, with tracks that blend rapid-fire delivery and melodic hooks.
Placing both on a major Castle Lager stage – alongside a living legend like Macheso – is a calculated nod to Zimbabwe’s musical evolution.
The event runs from 11:00 to 19:30, a full day that allows for both undercard racing and staggered musical performances.
Organisers have not yet released the stage schedule, but typical Tankard programming places headline music acts in the late afternoon to early evening slot, capturing the post-race crowd as daylight fades.
Castle Lager is hosting the event in partnership with the Mashonaland Turf Club, and entry remains free – a deliberate choice to maximise footfall.
With free gates, a US$50,000 Grade One horse race, and a music lineup spanning generations and genres, the 66th Castle Tankard is shaping up to be as much a cultural event as a sporting one.
Muzorewa’s tagline – “Live It. Feel It. Share It.” – is optimised for the social media era. And in 2026, shareability often begins with music.
A Macheso chorus, a Nisha Ts hook, or an Ndunge Yut breakdown: any of these could become the defining clip of the day, shared across WhatsApp, TikTok, and Instagram long after the last horse has crossed the finish line.
For fans of Zimbabwean music, the message is clear. Come for the race if you wish. But stay for the soundtrack.
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