Just weeks before hundreds of music lovers were expected to descend on Bulawayo for one of the city’s fastest-growing entertainment events, organisers of PLA Fest (Platform Live Amplified) have announced that this year’s festival will no longer take place on August 8.
Instead, the much-anticipated celebration of music, arts, and culture has been rescheduled to September 26, with organisers promising that the extra time will allow them to deliver an even bigger and better experience.
The postponement, confirmed by festival founder and organiser Naison Ndhlovu, followed unforeseen complications involving the event venue.
While the announcement may disappoint eager fans who had already begun counting down to August, organisers insisted the difficult decision was made to protect the quality, safety, and overall experience of the festival.
According to Ndhlovu, postponing the event was never part of the plan but became unavoidable once it became clear that the original venue could no longer meet the festival’s requirements.
“Making this decision was incredibly difficult. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this change may have caused to our artists, partners, and festival-goers,” Ndhlovu said.
Since its inception, PLA Fest has positioned itself as more than just another music event.
The festival has become a growing platform dedicated to celebrating Zimbabwean creativity by bringing together musicians, poets, and dancers in one vibrant space.
With every edition, organisers have sought to create opportunities for young creatives while strengthening Bulawayo’s reputation as one of the country’s cultural capitals.
Organisers said the postponement will provide an opportunity to refine production, secure the best possible venue, and ensure every aspect of the festival lives up to expectations.
“This was not an easy decision, but it was necessary to ensure we deliver the safe, high-quality experience you expect from PLA,” Ndhlovu added.
“All tickets purchased for the 8th of August will remain valid for the new date. No action is required.”
While organisers have not yet revealed the new location, they have assured supporters that the venue will be officially announced before August 15.
Securing venues, coordinating artists, managing production teams, and ensuring the highest safety standards often require months of planning, and unexpected obstacles can force difficult decisions.
“Our community has supported us from the beginning, and we owe them the very best experience possible. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding,” he said.
The organisers also confirmed that another edition of PLA Fest has already been scheduled for December 5.