daniel chigunwe
Mathew Masinge
MUSICIAN Gary Tight says he has been gutted after he was left out of the line-up for the inaugural Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival of the Arts.
Gary, who claims he has been hosting free shows at Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton for two years, as part of efforts to keep the centre alive, feels betrayed after the organisers, Tuku Music (Pvt) Ltd, left him out.
After recording ‘Ndizarurire,’ which features the late music superstar and national hero, Gary felt he had earned himself a place as part of Tuku’s wider “family” and deserved a place in the line-up.
Gary also performed at Sam Mutukudzi’s memorial gala alongside Mbeu in 2016.
He said he owes everything he has to the tutelage he received from Tuku.
The festival, spread over two days, is set for this Saturday and Sunday at Pakare Paye Arts Centre.
“I feel betrayed and it’s hard to accept that I was left out of the inaugural OMIFA when the late Oliver Mtukudzi treated me like his own son.
“VaMtukudzi vanga vakandida like his late son, Sam, and everyone at Pakare Paye knew about my bond with the late superstar.
“I was hoping that now after we waited for six years to have such an event, I was to be considered but I have been excluded by the organisers.”
Gary said he was one of the artists who stayed true to Tuku Music even after the national hero’s death.
“I was one of the few artists who have been hosting shows at the joint even after the death of Baba Mtukudzi but that still didn’t move the organisers.
“Sometimes, I would travel from Hatfield to Norton every Sunday, finance my own trips and sponsor the band while I got nothing from the event.”
He said he won’t accept a late invite.
“I have accepted the decision and I won’t accept a last-minute invite to the festival that even Selmor was almost left out.
“The person who wanted me there is no more so I will not attend, they have made it clear to me that they don’t require my services.”
Festival organisers told H-Metro:
“Gary is family and we regard him highly at Pakare Paye Arts Centre, it’s just that we couldn’t cater for every artist to perform at this inaugural edition.
“He should see this as a long-term plan and we will consider him in the next edition since we want to make this a five-year plan,” said one of the festival directors, Marcus Gora.
He said many other artists like Alick Macheso and Munya Mataruse will be considered in the next edition.
The event is being held in memory of the late music icon who died on January 29, 2019.
Online Reporter