Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Tatenda Chipungudzanye
20 September 2008
Harare — THE cancellation of the Chibuku Road to Fame music contest has effectively ruled out the eagerly-awaited Sungura clash between Alick Macheso and Tongai Moyo this year.
Since what became known as the sungura war, Macheso and Tongai only shared the stage on three occasions a year ago.
Their historic "reunion" was at the Road to Fame finals at the Glamis Arena in the capital while a further two shows were arranged by Ghetto Fabulous and staged in Kadoma and Kwekwe on the same weekend.
This year Delta Beverages had successfully secured the signatures of the sungura giants for yet another show on September 27.
Now it looks like this year will pass without the 'clash of the giants'.
Interestingly, Tongai had already been paid in full for this year's show.
There are reports that Delta Beverages were forced to shelve the talent search show owing to cash flow challenges.
However, Delta marketing executive Stanley Muchenje did not give the exact reasons behind the decision to shelve the event although he suggested they may have to finish off the event next year.
Provincial finals for the talent search had already been completed.
"Delta Beverages would like to inform the public and all arts enthusiasts of the cancellation of this year's edition of the Chibuku Road to Fame Finals which were scheduled for 27th of September 2008.
"This cancellation has been necessitated by events beyond our control
"The provincial competitions having been completed, winners of these will be considered in the next edition of the Chibuku Road to Fame Finals," Muchenje said in a statement.
While expressing disappointment at the cancellation, Tongai said he had been looking forward to a clash with Macheso.
"There is always a next time. I had really wanted to share the stage with Alick but it now seems the show has been cancelled.
"It is just like economics where supply of a commodity affects its demand - we have not been holding joint shows with Alick for some time now and as such there is usually a high demand for such a show from fans.
"When such a show comes by we always put up some of our finest, well-polished shows as it comes once in a blue moon," said Tongai.
The Nama award winner however, felt that the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe should have chipped in to ensure that this year's programme was completed.
"I believe National Arts Council should have approached the Government for sponsorship in such a scenario.
"We have seen Zifa and other sports bodies going to the Government and having their problems resolved.
"The arts industry is one of the major employment sectors in the country and I think the Government would have helped had the National Arts Council made moves."
Macheso also said he had been looked forward to a joint show with Tongai.
"A show with Tongai always attracts a lot of people and there are usually fireworks at such shows. It is a pity that Delta has cancelled the show.
"But there is still time before year-end and I don't know our schedule, maybe there might be a show that might arise pitting me and Tongai.
"Who knows we might play before the end of the year," said Macheso.
He shared Tongai's position that someone else should have taken over the talent search contest and complete it as planned this year.
However, unlike Tongai, Macheso said Delta had not yet paid them for the show.
Meanwhile, it also emerged that the September 27 date might have presented the organisers with problems, as Macheso might have been unavailable.
Orchestra Mberikwazvo manager, William Tsandukwa said chances were high that they would be committed elsewhere on September 27.
"We had advised Delta that we could be available on October 3 but now the show has been cancelled," said Tsandukwa.
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