adminZIMBABWE’S showbiz landscape is never short of drama.
It’s a sector where researchers can easily compile both sad and refreshing fairy tales.
The sector has all sorts of characters, ranging from the level-headed ones to morons right down to attention-seekers. It is also awash with pretenders, resilient stars’ intriguing journeys and one hit wonders’ epitaphs.
The local showbiz landscape remains a male-dominated sector where females are still finding it difficult to penetrate.
Poor management, lack of sponsorship and marriage commitments have derailed most female practitioners’ efforts from fulfilling their potential.
Be it music, film, literary arts, visual arts or dance, females continue to face hindrances, which are sparked by disharmony and bullying in showbiz.
Promising male counterparts are not spared from some of these setbacks, especially lack of sponsorship and sound management.
Disunity, jealousy and divisions have also hit the sector.
Like any other industry, showbiz has its own stakeholders, who are needed to ensure stars make, or remain on top.
Synergies and cooperation among stakeholders should never be underestimated.
This comes into effect when one is unveiling a new product on the market.
Superstar Alick Macheso’s recent oversubscribed 54th birthday celebration at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex instantly comes to mind.
For the first time in years, the giant auditorium proved a tiny venue after the fans came in numbers, with late-comers being sent back home.
He was also launching his 12th album, which raised the appeal of the event.
While the sungura ace made a killing, his event left us with many critical lessons.
Synergies, unity and cooperation were the big lessons of the night.
Aggressive marketing, proper planning and wide consultations remain key when hosting such big events.
For instance, Macheso showed that he was, indeed, an entertainer of the people.
Unity of purpose is vital when it comes to proper events management and planning.
This can be attained when celebrities partner with key stakeholders who have the expertise.
Once consultations have been made, service providers should be allowed to freely discharge their duties to ensure that mega events live to expectations.
Talent alone will never be enough and divisions among celebrities, especially musicians, will only yield misery.
By combining forces, huge fan bases are built while returns become favourable.
The new “diss” culture, which became popular at the height of Zim dancehall, does not work locally.
The majority of these artists have either joined the showbiz cemetery or fallen by the wayside.
Macheso has the pulling power and, if he had wanted, he could have done the whole show by himself.
It’s fair to say there is a huge possibility he would still have attracted the same huge crowd, had he been the only artist on show last Friday.
After all, virtually all the fans who came were drawn by his name and the music he produces.
But, by adding other artists, and turning it into a celebration of music, Macheso gave the mega show a different dimension.
He gave it added appeal and some fans came just to see a local music family celebrating a milestone achievement.
It showed us that unity, synergies and cooperation remain key drivers of the showbiz landscape.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter