HARARE - Party-lovers attending the Victoria Falls Carnival cruised into the New Year in style as Zimbabwe’s very own living legend, Oliver ‘‘Tuku’’ Mtukudzi entertained them.

The three-day festival was marked with music concerts during the nights, with diverse musicians satisfying most people at the concert.

On Sunday night, the biggest attraction was South African songbird Zahara, who was in Zimbabwe for the third time.

Zahara provided first class entertainment true to her style.

Clad in a long blue dress complemented with a colourful headband, Zahara had the crowd on their feet dancing to her music.

She even performed some of the late Brenda Fassie’s memorable tracks.

Superstar Oliver ‘‘Tuku’’ Mtukudzi performed on New Year’s Eve bringing the curtain down on 2012 to the Victoria Falls community in style.

He performed two songs with the UK-based Noisettes front lady, Shingai Shonhiwa who clearly showcased her talent, backing Tuku.

Kudos should be awarded to the show organisers for trying to bring the town to life but it certainly was no entirely ‘‘carnival’’.

Although on the first day a carnival spirit was in the air, the second day turned out to be just a music festival.

To those who have been to other countries’ carnivals, this did not meet the criteria of a standard carnival.

Carnivals are usually associated with travelling amusement shows, side shows, rides, street processions, but this one had only one procession on the first day.

The spirit of a carnival was somewhat lost as organisers charged $45 to enter the show.

Many people turned back upon arrival at the venue as they felt the fee was out of reach.

On the music and concert side, the ‘‘carnival’’ did justice as it had different acts from across the globe showcasing their different talents.

Musicians such as Zebra and Giraffe, Plash, The Graham Watkins Project, Chicken Bus, GMR and many other acts exhibited polished acts.

Club and ZiFM DJs, Judgment Yard brought the house down just an hour into the new year with their reggae and dancehall mixes.

The DJs, Flevah and Etherton showed the crowd their mantle with their mix of old, new, local and international music selection.

Their music reminded different generations of their heydays.