adminSimbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Reporter
THE Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa has called on international artistes to abide by the country’s immigration laws following the deportation of 44 international participants of Umoja Flying Carpet last week.The 44, comprising of 16 South Africans, 13 Norwegians and 15 Mozambicans, were expected to be in camp at Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton last week, joining 16 other participants from Zimbabwe in preparation for a joint act for the final show which was scheduled for August 9 at 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale, Harare.
The entourage was denied entry last Wednesday afternoon due to the unavailability of police clearances from their countries.
Speaking to Chronicle Showbiz, Langa said he was not aware there were international artistes who had been denied entry into the country, though the law had taken its course.
“I am not aware there are people who were denied entry into the country due to their failure to meet immigration laws, I am learning that from you right now.
“It is important for artistes coming into the country to abide by the law. We wouldn’t want anyone to be inconvenienced due to ignorance.
“Zimbabwe is a sovereign state that has laws. People coming into the country should at all times observe the country’s laws to avoid disappointments of such a nature,” he said.
The department of immigration has on previous occasions advised promoters to get foreign artistes police clearances from their respective countries in order for them to be awarded temporary work permits in Zimbabwe.
“We used to do the police clearances for the promoters but because we are inundated with applications, we have kindly asked the promoters to tell the artistes whom they want to bring to seek police clearance from their countries so that we can process their temporary work permits,” said Francis Mabika, assistant regional immigration officer in charge of compliance.
Meanwhile, Umoja country manager Farai Kuzvidza said they had already cancelled the camp since the people who were supposed to be in it had been denied entry.
“We have cancelled the camp; it didn’t make any sense for us to have it since it was meant to be a cultural exchange. What use is it if we stay in the camp as Zimbabweans without our foreign counterparts,” he said.
Kuzvidza said Umoja had made arrangements with some local artistes to compensate for the foreigners who could not make it.
“We have invited Hope Masike, The Jam Signal Boys and Let the Children Play to perform on Saturday,” he said.
The Umoja Cultural Festival is a collaborative development programme and involves the participation of 11 cultural institutions from four different countries: Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Norway.
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