THE much-hyped Victoria Falls Cultural Festival whose highlight was billed as the opening night headlined by Busi Ncube, never took place, with organisers failing to transport artistes to the resort town.
NONHLANHLA SIBANDA OWN CORRESPONDENT
The festival was scheduled for August 6 to 11 under the theme “A Cultural Confluence: The world as One”.
But it turned to be a farce due to chaotic arrangements and the disappearance of the organiser and promoter.
More than 10 artistes including Busi — who flew all the way from Norway — were left stranded last Wednesday after the organiser of the festival disappeared a day before the much-hyped five-day event.
The secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Music Association (Zimma), Mish Nyakudarika, who doubled up as the sole organiser of the festival, was said to have promised to deposit money for the transportation of the artistes.
In an interview with Southern Eye Lifestyle, various artistes who were scheduled to perform at the festival said they had been duped.
Nyakudarika who claimed to have made consultations with various government ministries about the festival, failed to explain what went wrong.
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Black Umfolosi director Tomeck Dube said he was appointed artistic director of the festival and the burden was left on him to explain what had happened to the various artistes who had packed their bags ready to take off to the Falls.
“What Nyakudarika did was unfair. He had direct contact with various government ministries. He just said something went wrong. We asked if we could sit and discuss this, but he was nowhere to be found. We want to hear straight from his mouth what really transpired,” Dube said.
“I think he is a chancer, testing waters. He just wanted to unlock his own opportunities by using our names. I am so hurt.
For four days I have been trying to contact him, artistes needed to know if their accommodation and transport had been taken care of.
I have never worked with someone so immature. Why would someone so respectable act in such a way? We trusted him. We are waiting for him to address us before we take action.”
Ncube who had been practicing with Band Rain in Harare for the festival said she was shocked and was stranded in Harare not knowing what to do.
“I was confused and it was a big mess. If something went wrong he should have communicated,” she said.
Cool Crooners’ George Salima who doubled up as the chairman of Zimma, said he was disappointed with developments.
“I have been trying to call him since Sunday, but he did not answer. There is nothing I can say until I meet up with him personally. This is not good,” he said.
Ncube, Dudu Manhenga and Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana Thandy Dlana and kwaito artiste PoZee, Black Umfolosi, Thandy Dlana, Chicken Bus, Willis Wataffi, DJ Francis, Mandebvu, Tata Mojo, Men at Work, Colour Blue, Victor Kunonga and Family Voices were some of the artistes billed to perform at the festival.
