Chronicle Editor
Mkhululi Ncube , [email protected]
RHUMBA and maskandi artistes have bemoaned the suspension of the hosting of their shows at the Underground Hillbrow Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa following incidences of violence that tended to occur outside the venue when the artistes held shows.
Last year, comedian Mahlalela survived death by a whisker after being shot soon after leaving the venue where rhumba artiste Mxolisi “Mr Bones” Ndlovu was launching his Uvukile Umalambane album. Another incident in 2017 saw a man who was in the audience grabbing the microphone and threatening to stop the event unless his stolen cellphone was brought back.
Authorities said he then pulled out a gun and started shooting randomly at the audience before running away.
Generally, violence tends to ensue around the venue when live shows in the two genres are staged.
Run by Underground Entertainment, the venue that is nestled in Hillbrow has been popular among local fans due to its central location as a number of Zimbabweans based in the neighbouring country live, work and hustle in that area. For years, the venue that is run by a Zimbabwean has presented many local artistes with a platform for expression, creativity and ultimately, stardom.
When one wants to have a feel of music by Zimbabweans, the Underground Hillbrow Theatre has definitely been the best place to patronise as they are guaranteed diverse musical performances from maskandi, sungura, marabi, amapiano, and alternative genres.
However, early this month, the venue communicated that it would not be open to hosting shows in the rhumba and maskandi genres although it will remain open to hosting other events that have not faced the same problems.
“Please be advised that Underground Entertainment, with immediate effect, regrets to inform you that is suspending all Tshibilika and Maskandi-related music events at Underground Hilbrow Theatre. This follows incidents that usually take place around the venue during these above-mentioned events.
“We want to assure all our music lovers that we value the support they have been giving us over the years in promoting our unique music genre and our identity, hence their safety is key to us.
“Although these incidents always happen outside, we will be working towards improving our security so that we avoid such cases,” said Underground Entertainment in a statement.
They added: “Until we find a working solution and assistance from our community to bring these perpetrators to justice, the venue will remain suspended to hosting the said events.”
In an interview with Saturday Chronicle, Underground Entertainment chief executive officer Nkululeko “PK” Nkomo said the suspension does not meant that they will stop promoting rhumba music.
He said the closure is just meant to give them time to find ways to improve security and deal with the rowdy elements.
He said they are looking for alternative venues to hold shows in the two genres while they address challenges experienced at the venue.
Insimbi ZeZhwane bassist Meluleki “Brema” Moyo said the suspension is a major blow to them as the venue was a good hub to nurture young artistes. He said artistes will be hamstrung because getting alternative venues that are bigger than the place will be hard.
“It’s a big loss for us because the venue was spacious and could accommodate lots of people. We have seen a number of bands growing because they had good opportunities to be seen at the venue. Getting another venue like it (Underground Hillbrow Theatre) will be impossible.
“PK also understood the needs of the artistes and he was not there for money, but to support the growth of our music,” he said.
Rhumba artiste Kholwani “TK” Dube bemoaned the violent behaviour saying it is costing them as they have lost out on a venue that had become the “Capital of Rhumba Music”.
“We had become accustomed to the place and even though there are other venues, Hillbrow Theatre was isigodlo sethu. The violence thing is really killing our music because we want to perform in a safe environment and want our fans to be safe too. People must not be afraid to attend shows fearing for their lives,” TK said.
Another rhumba artiste, Mxolisi “Mr Bones” Ndlovu said the artistes have tried their best to have the problem solved but to no avail. He said getting alternative venues will be a challenge for them.
“This was a central venue that made many people attend our shows. We’ve tried our best to address the problem, even through our music, but to no avail. The challenge is that everything happens outside the venue and it has been associated with rhumba music. This has affected us because we knew the venue was always available for us,” he said.
Maskandi artiste Zinjaziyamluma said the decision will affect them financially, but he stressed that human life was more important than money.
“The closure of the theatre is bad for us financially because we were able to launch our new music there and get good returns. I understand their move because human life is more important than the good times and money we made there.
“But, our request is that it be reopened soon and we urge our people to be well-behaved,” he said. —@themkhust
Online Reporter