adminShowbiz Correspondent
Some comedians who performed at the Ibumba Arts Festival (iFest) in December last year, have not been paid yet. The annual iFest, organised by Saimon Mambazo Phiri was held from December 16 to 22 in Bulawayo. Over 100 artistes and groups including Clement Magwaza, Jeys Marabini, Ndux Junior, Family Voices, Crème Voices, Dumi Nyongola, Cool Crooners and One Stand Band performed at the festival.
While musicians and other acts were paid last year, comedians Doc Vikela, Simba the Comic King, Ntando Van Moyo, Keith Nkosi and Nomsa Dee claim they are yet to be rewarded for their work.
Doc Vikela has since lost hope as he is uncertain if the payment will ever be made.
“Ibumba hasn’t paid comedians their money. It’s a disgrace to the arts industry and it’s not good as it doesn’t grow the industry… Artistes need the money they were promised when they signed up to perform,” Doc Vikela said.
A comedian who preferred anonymity concurred saying they may have been duped.
“I’m surprised that some have been paid because we’re still waiting. The last thing that we were told was that the team from iFest was doing paperwork and would contact us once they were done. Almost three months on, we’re still waiting.”
While comedians have not received a single penny, hip hop musician Guluva 7, says he is as good as one who was not paid as the system used to pay them saw them walking away with peanuts.
“Local artistes were told to sell tickets in order to get performance fees. This wasn’t useful as the festival wasn’t marketed well because when we wanted to sell the tickets, people in our neighbourhoods would ask what Ibumba or iFest was.
“As a result, it was difficult selling the tickets and we didn’t make much money from the tickets which cost $2,” said Guluva 7.
But, some like hip hop sensation Cal_Vin have no complaints as they smiled all the way to the bank after being paid their dues, minutes after concluding their performances in December.
Mambazo yesterday declined to comment on the issue.
Online Reporter