THE Ingoma KaZwelonke Traditional Dance Festival started with everyone in good spirits on Saturday, 4 June until chaos broke out.
Things got out of hand shortly after Zulu King Misuzulu left the event held at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
When Ifolo loMaskandi, a group of top maskandi dancers, took to the stage, fans went crazy and invaded the stage, forcing the organisers to stop the performance and enforce a long break.
Maskandi star, Mthandeni Manqele, who did not participate in the festival, also tried to cause trouble by flying above the stadium in a helicopter and waving at the crowd.
Geh Ngcobo, one of the organisers, told Daily Sun: “It was bad when fans invaded the stage, but we understand that it was because they wanted to touch their favourite artists, who they normally see from far away.
“We don’t mind that Mthandeni was flying in a helicopter over our event. He failed to sabotage us and we would have dealt with him if he came down.”
ALSO READ:Lerato Kganyago's hubby in debt!
Mthandeni complained to the SunTeam that he was excluded from the festival, which was sponsored by government.
“Flying in the helicopter, I was showing my powers as the maskandi king. I organised my own festival at Durban Workshop and it was attended by more people,” he said.
“When the helicopter dropped me off at Virginia Airport, I drove my Toyota Fortuner to Durban Workshop and was chased by cars pointing guns at me and demanding that I stop.
“Luckily, I was driving with three armed bodyguards and when I arrived, my fans blocked the road. I didn’t perform because it was not safe. I didn’t open a case but I will consult with my lawyers.”
King Misuzulu said it made him happy to see his father’s people gather to take pride in their culture.
