Published by the government of Zimbabwe
5 October 2007
Harare — Jamaicanreggae artiste Luciano - real name Jepther McClymont - is billed to hold two shows at the Glamis Arena at Harare Exhibition Park and at the Rainbow Towers in Harare on October 20 and 21.
Top South African reggae-pop outfit Bongo Maffin and local urban groover Sniper will be supporting acts during the two gigs. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority is facilitating the show, which is being promoted by Shumba Instrumentation. An official from Shumba Instrumentation said Luciano's tour would be a great opportunity for Zimbabwe to play host to various international artistes, a move that would help the country in improving its tourism sector. The shows - dubbed "Smiles Zimbabwe Splush" . . . were also aimed at promoting Zimbabwe ahead of the World Cup 2010to be held in South Africa. "Once people know that Luciano visited Zimbabwe they would want to come and see the different tourists destinations that the country has on offer. "More artistes would come to perform this side and I believe by 2010 we would have marketed our country well enough.
"We also want to urge all Zimbabweans to be hospitable to the tourists," said the official. Shumba Instrumentation said plans were currently underway to bring to Zimbabwe reggae artistes such as Capleton, real name Clifton George Bailey, and Sizzla, for a big show next year.
"We are very grateful to these Jamaican artistes as they have accepted our invite. They could have opted to go where they would be given more money but for our enjoyment's sake they are coming to perform," he said.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 22, 2007 Media Contact: Mr. Sean Folkes (Manager) Tel: 305 652-7275 Cell Phone: 305-494-7745 Email: kabled@msn.com LUCIANO'S response to statement made in Zimbabwe Luciano's CALL FOR JUSTICE !!!! Greetings to All: Apparently, there has been a misunderstanding in a statement that I made during my visit to Zimbabwe. I would like to be given the opportunity to explain myself. Many of you were and may still be very upset with me for supporting the land reformation that has taken place in Mama Africa and most recently in Zimbabwe. I am sure most of you will appreciate that the African nation has suffered severely from slavery and colonization, the reparations of which we have yet to receive. Although we have reclaimed most of our land, we still have been left with the challenges of restoring and repairing our family, not to mention the Industry and Productivity of our Continent. It is of my utmost interest and concern to see our homeland restored to her original state of splendor and tranquility, and that, in the words of Bob Marley, “we emancipate ourselves from mental slavery [because] none but ourselves can free our minds”. However, in the struggle to retain what is rightfully ours as Africans we have to deal with a political process which, as has been the case in Zimbabwe, may not always turn out in the interest of the people. The sentiments of my comments were primarily to revoke the wisdom of Messiah Honorable Marcus Garvey, who rightfully said “Africa for Africans at home and abroad”. If I have offended anyone, especially my fans, in supporting the land reform in Mama Africa, please forgive me. I was merely attempting to communicate the fact that the struggle for land that is currently affecting Zimbabwe is a global fight that all Africans need to rally behind. The only prejudice I have is that of injustice and the message in my music is all part of my contribution to the uplifting of the African Nation. My trip to Zimbabwe was not for financial gain, but to give hope and joy to a community of people in desperate need. Sincerely, Jahessenjah LUCIANO