Harare — AFTER numerous empty promises by local promoters to bring major international artistes, Chez Ntemba International got the script right last weekend, when they staged a gig by leading rhumba star, Werrason.

The build-up to the Werrason show at the Harare International Conference Centre might have been low-key but the response from rhumba lovers in the capital was good, never mind the US$20 entry fee.

It was nowhere near a full house, but the few thousands who made it into HICC last Friday night were rewarded as Werrason and his 24-piece-band put up an impressive show that somewhat justified the entry fee.

Not only did Werrason thrill revellers; he actually exposed some of our local rhumba outfits and top sungura outfits who systematically plagirise his music and then boast of being original They take advantage of the local fans' lack of exposure to DRC music. Local sungura musicians, even go to the extent of just translating what rhumba artistes like Werrason and his rival, Koffi Olomide, would have sung in their local language, Lingala.

But still, local artistes imitating Werrason are still miles behind, as what they are giving us now as new actually belongs to the Congolese giant's archive.

Like any other international artiste, Werrason saluted Zimbabwean fans for having faith in his works. His only worry was on bogus promoters that have been "tarnishing" his image by claiming to be his agents. locally and emphasised that his main concern was on some promoters who have been using his name, claiming they had contracted to bring him to Zimbabwe.