THE Impucuzeko Maskandi Festival that was held in Durban, KZN, over the weekend has left artists fuming.
More than 10 artists who were booked to perform spent the whole night standing backstage. They include Thokozani “Somnandi” Langa, Dlubheke, Mnikezwa, DSD, Inyonemhlophe, Gatsheni and Ngiga Ndlovu. Speaking to Daily Sun, Dlubheke labelled the event a disaster.
“I communicated with the event organisers way before the event and indicated that I wanted to perform before midnight. A few days before the event, I called them to double check my call time but they didn’t take my calls.
“Nevertheless, I continued with the rehearsals. I booked accommodation for my band members and on 29 July, I travelled from Joburg to Durban.”
He said he was shocked when he found out he was scheduled to perform at 4.30am on Sunday.
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“I stayed up until midnight, hoping they would change their minds but they were stubborn. Eventually, I decided to pull out of the event.”
Dlubheke said he was angry as he lost time and money.
“I spent more than R30 000 in preparation for this gig, only to be disrespected by the organisers. I spent money on transport for my band, rehearsals and accommodation in Durban,” he said.
Ngiga said: “I arrived on time but I was turned into a spectator. I spent the entire night waiting backstage but my name was never called.
“Eventually, I realised I wasn’t going to perform.”
But event organiser Xolani Mcineka blamed the artists for not performing.
“I can confirm that a lot of big artists did not perform due to time constraints. Many of them arrived late and this forced us to change the line-up. But as for Dlubheke and Potso, we intentionally put them in the morning on Sunday. This is because they’re big artists and the strategy was to hold the crowd. We didn’t mean to disrespect them.” He said all artists would be paid regardless of non-performance.
