SINGER Zahara wowed her loyal fans during two sold out performances at the recording of her debut live DVD - Zahara Live: The Beginning - at Carnival City in Ekurhuleni at the weekend.

The shows also featured American songwriter and singer Leroy Bell, the Soweto Gospel Choir, an orchestra and an unusually big band. Both shows were sold out by Friday afternoon.

When Zahara took to the stage on both nights, she was met by deafening screams from the capacity crowd. In both shows, Zahara paid tribute to the late township disco queen Brenda Fassie and South Africa's universal Afro-ethno music icon Miriam Makeba.

A number of Zahara's fans came armed with toy, cardboard-cut-outs or miniature guitars which they strummed excitedly along with their idol.

A discord of sorts occured when Zahara introduced Bell. The crowd was initially silent before welcoming him with loud applause. The crowd was apparently expecting Kaya FM's highly popular Georgie Manyosi instead because some people were heard shouting Georgie! Georgie! when Zahara announced that the person they were all "waiting for" was about to ascend the stage.

Instead of Manyosi, it was Bell who went on to perform a memorable duet with Zahara, accompanied by the Soweto Gospel Choir and the orchestra. The song, titled Brand New Day, was well received by the crowd.

When Bell performed solo, the crowd clapped appreciatively.

I must add that Bell is a brilliant guitarist and a talented vocalist.

Curiously, even though Zahara has collaborated with Manyosi on the popular song Incwad'Encane, she seems to shy away from featuring him in her numerous concerts. I think this disappoints her fans.

The DVD is expected to go on sale in early August.