Noah Pomo– Zimba Wave Media
Musician Mambo Dhuterere dramatically skipped his booked UK flight over a small, outstanding, percentage of his payment that was due to him upon arrival. He had allegedly already accepted advance payment.
In a highly unprofessional move Mambo Dhuterere announced his decision on social media after 1 ‘missed call’ to promoters Y2K, who found out about his decision on Mambo Dhuterere’s Facebook pages.
Like other social media followers Y2K read the following on Dhuterere’s social media pages: “It’s unfortunate we won’t be attending due to a little misunderstanding.. l personally thank Y2K for believing in me nekundikwanisawo pama African giants and our fans in Europe l thank you.”
“They did ma Visa and bought tickets for everyone but management yati Europe is too far be told payment moiwana upon arrival yet contact richiti inouya before departure… Am heartbroken l know my supporters feel the same, kusanzwanana kwenyu kunovhiringa ini nevatsigiri vangu big time,kune 1 munhu asiya zvese kuuya kuzoona Mambo and zvakandikoshera, neniwo ndasiya zvese kuti andione then this …. I love you all”
Dhuterere’s bizarre statement blames everyone, promoters and even his own management, everyone except his known ultra ego.
A Y2K source anonymously revealed Dhuterere was paid a huge portion of his deposit with the balance due on arrival. Y2K’s due diligence was not surprising at a time when some Zimbabwe based artists are now accepting payment in cash or kind before refusing to travel with flights booked.
It is too easy to blame promoters. And they are not perfect. But a bad trend is now developing were some Zimbabwean artists accept money 9either a partial deposit or full payment) and visa applications are made only to turn around and refuse to travel. Musician Master H bailed out on promoter King Alfred recently because his manager was not able to travel with him. It was not clear if the manager was denied a visa. Visas can be denied or accepted and the reasons are not made public.
It seems some artists are now taking advantage of the fact most promoters feel their hands are tied and can not publicly comment on both visa denials and obvious prima dona behaviour by artists. Which then means promoters can no longer sink 100% payment in artists who are taking advantage and can play truant.
Promoters Y2K decided to clarify that: “Despite our best efforts [Mambo Dhuterere] has chosen not to travel. We learned of his decision through social media.”
The statement itself is unprecedented. But promoters now feel enough is enough
Dhuterere has travelled to UK several times through Y2K. And with the downward spiral of his career based on his scandals and a fading career, it’s tough to see a renewal of acquintances barring a dramatic turn of events.
Promoters have their failings. But truth also has to be told when artists fail to turn up and perform after accepting considerable payment chunks or even the whole amount and crowds are waiting. Artists from Zimbabwe have now shown they are very capable of swindling huge amounts for shows by not turning up for flimsy reasons.
The appearance of Makhadzi and Koffi Olomide may indicate Zimbabwean artists have to wise up to the competitive environment around them.
Winky D, Jah Prayzah, Feli Nandi and Alick Macheso are some of Zimbabwe’s most professional artists known for keeping their commitments and appointments.
Dhuterere fans may have to watch their artist at home, depending on his increasingly moody and dramatic behaviour. The artist could have gone and redeemed the remaining portion of his balance due to him on arrival failing which he would refuse to perform.
noahpomo@gmail.com
