10 May 2008
The Umthwakazi Arts Festival was postponed indefinitely after top South African musicians and artists billed as major drawcards decided their safety could not be guaranteed in the volatile political atmosphere in the country.
The festival, usually held during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), had been moved to 19 May after delays in the release of the presidential election results.
This year it was set to feature the likes of DJ S'bu, DJ Cleo (below), Bricks, Makoporosh and Black Sam, all from SA.
Local rising African pop stars such as Khuxxman, Msheznana, IYASA, Magesh and Jambanja were expected to complement the international stars line-up.
But the spokesperson for the organisers, Sharon Sithole said the star attractions from South Africa said they feared they could be caught up in the political disturbances blamed on Zanu PF supporters.
The supporters are said to be venting their anger over their leader, President Robert Mugabe's poor performance in the 29 March elections on MDC supporters in the rural areas.
Sithole said the organisers were uncertain of attendance at the festival, as most residents might not want to venture out at the night, given the volatile political atmosphere.
"We predict in a few months the situation would have improved and we will be able to go ahead with the festival," she said.
If the festival does finally take off, it will run under the theme "Bringing the people of Bulawayo together", which seeks to promote tolerance.
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