Events management experts, promoters and arts regulatory authorities have condemned the continued no-shows by youthful Zimdancehall couple, Hulengende and Malloti, after they have received deposits for their performances.
Some stakeholders have gone as far as calling for the couple to be banned from performing, arguing that their conduct has left venue owners, promoters and fans counting losses.
The growing concerns come amid a series of incidents in which the couple have allegedly failed to turn up for shows after receiving deposits, or arrived late, leaving promoters battling to contain disappointed fans.
Their alleged conduct has not been confined to Zimbabwe, with UK-based promoters also reportedly bearing the brunt of their behaviour, while some promoters in the sub-region have similarly counted their losses.
The latest casualty of the couple’s failure to honour a performance was Dhana Leisure Centre in Mutoko, whose management is now counting the cost of the fallout.
The venue was reportedly vandalised by irate fans following the couple’s failure to perform, with management estimating that it will require at least US$40 000 to restore the facility.
The incident has reignited calls for stronger measures to protect promoters, venue owners and fans from financial losses arising from artists who fail to honour performance agreements.
Management at Dhana Leisure Centre, led by Shepherd Maeni, has confirmed extensive damage to the venue following a violent incident in Mutoko on August 10, when angry fans reportedly destroyed property after Hulengende and Malloti failed to turn up for a scheduled show.
“The situation was chaotic at our centre after irate fans in Mutoko destroyed property on August 10 after they failed to come,” said Maeni.
“A promoter hired our venue to host Malloti and Hulengende, and they advised us that everything was in order.
“On the day of the show, we assisted them with logistics as we normally do with other artistes, but this time around, the script horribly went wrong as they failed to show up.
“Fans shattered our windows, looted stock and damaged cars and the stage in anger.”
Maeni added:
“We are still to ascertain the value of the damage, but it runs into thousands of US dollars.
“It was quite unfortunate, and something needs to be done to address the issue. It was more than a war as fans were really angry with them.”
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has been urging artists from various genres to uphold professionalism if they are to remain relevant in the industry.
NACZ spokesperson Agga Nyabinde, who is also an artist, recently called for greater professionalism among musicians.
“Artists need to be professional by fulfilling their contractual obligations.
“Artists should take their jobs seriously, and this is what we have been longing for over the years,” he said.
Zimdancehall scout Godfatha Templeman, who has played a role in identifying several chanters, is also on record urging artistes to conduct themselves professionally.
Templeman, who doubles as a presenter on Star FM, has consistently urged artists to be professional and stay away from drugs.
“With professionalism, our artistes can go far,” he said in a recent interview.
“Another serious issue we have been discussing is that of drug and substance abuse, which should be condemned in the strongest terms.
“We don’t want artistes failing to attend shows or painting a bad image of the industry through their conduct.” – H Metro
