No Carnival this year

. Danisa Masuku
FOR the second time this year, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has postponed the Harare International Carnival effectively calling time on the popular function at least for this year.

In a statement, the tourism authority said it decided to call time on the gala because 2018 was an eventful year that made it impossible for the festival to enjoy its space.

“The much anticipated annual national event which was pencilled for December 2018 will not be held this year and this decision was not arrived at lightly. The year 2018 was punctuated by numerous competing events that led to the postponement of the event from its original October timing and we had hoped to hold the carnival before year end,” read the statement.

Sources in the know revealed that chief among the reasons for shelving the high cost event is the issue of funding.

Last year Big Time Strategic Group, owned by South Africa-based businessman Justice Maphosa, was the main sponsor.

“There wasn’t much commitment from sponsors outside Government in this harsh economic climate,” said a source.

Having postponed the carnival from October to December, ZTA roped in a controversial ambassador socialite Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure. The flashy socialite cum businessman is currently answering fraud charges in relation to tax evasion.

Since its inception in 2013, the diverse culture fiesta only failed to take off in 2016 owing to lack of Government financial support and had it not been for a bail-out by Bigtime Strategic Group, the same was most likely last year.