Sulu’s misfortune: A lesson to local artistes

in the United Kingdom after being duped by a promoter Arthur Janjawa spoke volumes of how artistes should adopt a more serious and professional approach to their business.
Not to say that Suluman was unprofessional, but that he was supposed to have exercised due diligence.
International performers the likes of Oliver Mtukudzi, Sean Kingston, Akon and Sean who recently staged concerts in Zimbabwe do not travel unless they have been paid in full.
Prior to travelling, the money would have been deposited into their accounts and the flight tickets would have been booked.
Zimswag chief executive Prince Tendai had to travel to the United States to make sure that both Akon and Sean Paul had their passports and travel documents ready.
But Suluman who once learnt the hard way from previous tours to the UK should have been more cautious rather than being excited about the overseas tour.
According to Sulu, he only got to know the promoter of his tour after he landed in the UK.
Sulu said he was shocked to discover that all along he had been doing business with a promoter with a shady past.
“Anga akachinja zita, anga akushandisa rekuti Tendai Samupinga iye ari Auther Janjawa because ane maprevious ake (He (the promoter) had changed his name from Arthur Janjawa to Tendai Samupinga because he was trying to cover up for his previous misdemeanors),” said Sulu.
This explains why it is important to research on the promoter before going on tour.
Sulu said that before the show he had been communicating with the promoter via email and little did he know that he was dealing with Janjawa.
“All along we were communicating via email, and he agreed to pay me a deposit, which he did while the rest of the money would be paid after the shows,” he said.
Going back on the issue of research before signing a contract, most foreign artistes are always strict when it comes to touring.
They first ensure that they know the people they are dealing with and their professional background.
They also ask for their licenses, which show that they are bona fide concert promoters as well as their track records and of course, the assurance that they will stick to the contract and deliver on what they agreed on.
Local artistes should take a cue from the majority of foreign artistes like Sean Kingston, Akon and Sean Paul among others.
While it may seem like they make outrageous demands, the foreign artistes make sure that their requests and demands would be fulfilled, ranging from the performance fees, accommodation, food, transport, travel documents and the state of the performance venues, among others.
It is also wise to have legal knowledge on such issues and know the channels to take in the event that one reneges on the deal and agreement, as was the case with Janjawa, who did not fulfill his promises.
“The problem is that some of these guys (promoters) is that they are struggling there in the Diaspora and want to survive from us,” said Sulu.
He said he decided to go and perform in the UK to fulfill requests by his fans in that country to come and perform.
“It is everybody’s wish to perform in the UK. Another reason was that our fans always wanted us to perform there.
“So when Janjawa approached us, we thought that it was an opportunity for us to go, not knowing that it would turn out to be a farce,” said Sulu.
Sulu’s scenario reflects how local artistes should in a way invest their trust in local promoters whom they know and have faith in considering the fact that they are always working together during most of their shows.
As the adage goes: “It is better to deal with the devil that you know than that you don’t know.”