Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Bouncer and promoter Manu Mahaso, who was one of the organisers of a show which was headlined by South African AmaPiano vocalist MaWhoo at Nexus nightclub on Friday, has apologised to artistes who claimed they were “ill-treated” at the gig.
Mahaso apologised live on air in an interview with a local radio station.
In the process of clearing the club and the promoter’s name, Mahaso, emphasised that every show is business oriented and everything is done with calculations.
“From how I viewed this issue, I think it started when artistes (Noluntu J and her crew) disowned their seating area as performers, to squeeze themselves on the VIP and VVIP area, where tables were already bought by clients.
“Even in her statements, this component, which is the root of all this fracas – she was not clear about it. No one was ill-treated because we accommodated all our artistes in one area,” said Mahaso.
A
s a promoter, Mahaso said he provided Noluntu J with a professional contract, in return, she (Noluntu) did not honour him with an artiste’s or performer’s contract, which might have stated “extra” benefits that she might have wanted from the promoter to accommodate her crew.
“Even her rants on social media were not a professional way of handling all this. She was supposed to come to our offices and we solved the issue. She is welcome anytime, even today or tomorrow, so that we find a common ground and close this phase,” said Manu Mahaso.
He further said that as Nexus, they are happy to engage with local artistes as well as regional and international acts, only if they understand what is expected of them at an event.
From the entire interview, Noluntu J sounded as if she was “ambushed.” However, for the sake of pushing the industry forward, it is everyone’s hope that promoters and artistes find common grounds, through respecting each other, especially in line of work.
