Do the rich and powerful Zimbabweans prefer South African entertainment?

November 5, 2021
Somizi and Kelly Khumalo | Report Focus News
Report Focus News -Somizi and Kelly Khumalo

Questions have been raised with regards the trend and pattern of Zimbabwe’s rich and powerful preferring to hire South African talent to perform or be guests at their functions over local talent.

In the wake of the Garwe Restaurant debacle which involved Somizi and Kelly Khumalo.

Many Zimbabweans commenting on multiple online platforms questioned why, the rich and powerful prefer to bring in entertainers from across the Limpopo while ignoring local talent?

Somizi Mhlongo was barred from coming to officiate or be guest at the fancy grand opening of the newly refurbished Garwe Restaurant in Harare, it turns out the churches and the ZanuPF youth wing found his sexual orientation to be unfitting for Zimbabwe.

The restaurant owners then pencilled in Kelly Khumalo as a fitting replacement nonetheless Kelly Khumalo was a no show at the event, announcing last minute that she did this in solidarity with her friend Somizi who was barred from entering the country on grounds that he is homosexual.

Other South African artists Makhadzi and Mafikizolo recently performed at a private party in Zimbabwe.

The Ganama hit maker and SA group Mafikizolo were exclusively booked to perform at a private birthday party by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance George Guvamatanga.

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance was not only willing to pay top dollar for foreign talent but was even willing to rub it in the face of local artist by giving Makhadzi five times more than had previously been agreed.

In one of the videos that may be painful for the ignored local artist to watch Guvamatanga is seen flexing his financial muscle promising to multiply what was promised to Makhadzi five times.

“So what ever there was on that deal what I don’t want to disclose. I will multiply by five. Tomorrow morning you are giving me your bank details and by the time you get to South Africa that amount by five will be in your account my brother,” said Guvamatanga.

So indeed the question is why do the rich and powerful in Zimbabwe prefer South African entertainers?

Are our local artist not good enough for Zimbabwe’s rich and powerful?