By Sindiso Dube recently in Victoria Falls The organisers of the just-ended Victoria Falls Carnival have demanded South Africa-based trio of DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small and ShaSha pay back the booking fees after they failed to travel for the fiesta.
The trio failed to make it for the carnival, which ran from April 29 to May 1.
Maphorisa runs Blaq Boy Music Records, which houses Kabza and Zimbabwean born and raised ShaSha.
They were supposed to kick off their carnival performances with a one-hour long act at the Pure Africa Sunset Cruise private show on the festival’s opening day before later taking their acts to the main stage the same night.
In a statement, Victoria Falls Carnival organisers revealed that the trio had been paid in full.
“All three artists were paid in full and contractually bound to perform at the Carnival, and accommodated at every corner with their numerous flight and accommodation change requests,” read the statement.
“Above and beyond, we tried to communicate with the artists to change the date of performances, but still we could not get hold of them despite all efforts and all means of communication from our side.
“The artists have shown total disregard to the contract and this is unacceptable.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“The artists should pay back the full booking fee, pay back all flights that were booked on time, give Victoria Falls Carnival a statement in this regard and mostly, apologise to the fans who travelled all over the world to come see them perform.”
The organisers heaped praises on the thousands who flocked to the Elephant Hills resort for the premier event.
“Our main priority is you, the fans, who have made the carnival what it is today and we thank you for that! We thank you for understanding and know that we have done everything possible to accommodate the situation,” the organisers said.
The trio, or their record label or booking agent have not made a public statement to explain their no show.
In an act showing no remorse, Maphorisa and Kabza have been posting on their social media handles without any talk of the Victoria Falls Carnival.
On Instagram, the artistes did not advertise the Victoria Falls Carnival gig as they do with other events, insinuating that they knew that they were not going to attend.
The duping of local fans and promoters by South African acts is not a new phenomenon.
Recently Sir Trill, Fello La Tee and Daliwonga despite confirming that they would perform in Bulawayo just a fortnight ago, decided not to show up.
Social media users were hard done by ShaSha, a Zimbabwean who snubbed her countrymen and never issued a statement on what had happened.
Commenting on the issue, arts practitioner Raisedon Baya said ShaSha could have handled the matter better considering her origins.
“ShaSha, being Zimbabwean, should have respected the Victoria Falls Carnival,” Baya said.
“The no-show not only taints the festival, but the city and country that host it.”
However, the trio’s dishonesty could not dampen the carnival spirits and experience as their fellow South African wheel spinner Shimza and Sun-EL enticed fans on the last day of the activities at the Kunye Party at the Look Out Café in the afternoon before gracing the main stage at Elephant Hills resort on the same night.
Local artists Asaph, King Her, Nutty O proved why their names were on the performance list and further proved that they can stand tall too tall with the South Africa acts.
