Ghanzi Invasion organisers search for Makhazi's replacement
Katlego Isaacs | Tuesday June 21, 2022 06:00
Makhadzi is scheduled to perform at the JAMAFRO Festival in the UK leaving her local fans high and dry.
In spite of the R250,000 contractual obligation paid by Events 101 for a Makhadzi and Master KG performance at the Ghanzi Invasion, Makhadzi’s recording label, Open Mic Productions, has opted to allow the artiste to abscond from her commitment for an overseas performance leaving Gantsi with only Master KG. Events 101 industry veteran, Mox Gaolape, expressed that Events 101 is not interested in initiating a legal conflict over the matter.
However, if Open Mic Productions continues to violate the terms of their agreement and make inequitable offers then they will have no choice but to engage legal professionals. “I believe in dialogue, because of that we are going to make sure we meet them [Open Mic Productions], but if push comes to shove we will have to bring in a legal team,” Gaolape said.
“We are also looking into possibly having Makhadzi postpone her tour in the UK briefly to make an appearance in Gantsi before returning to the UK to avoid legal conflict,” he added. Makhadzi herself, however, responded on social media stating that she had no idea that she had even been booked in Botswana for July for any event. "I would like to apologise to all Batswana fans who bought tickets for my July Show. Unfortunately I didn’t know about the show in Botswana," Makhadzi said.
"The promoters in Botswana booked me from the wrong management or they spoke with people that don’t handle my bookings. I found out today that there was a poster that had my name for July.
Apologies to all my fans. I love you all, I will see you in September," she promised. This apology has not gotten the hitmaker out of hot soup quite yet as the legal contracts signed are indeed associated with her booking team through Open Mic Productions, and until the label can offer artistes in her place to make up for the loss, legal action remains plausible.
Thankfully however, Open Mic Productions boasts a strong platform of heavy hitting artists that could replace Makhadzi including the likes of Prince Benza, Nomcebo Zikode, Bongo Beats, and more of which Events 101 is currently in talks with.
Although with the strong cult of personality Makhazdi retains in Botswana, it is uncertain whether her replacement will garner nearly as large of a crowd in Gantsi as Gaolape expressed that Makhadzi genuine fans are readily waiting for her in Botswana not abroad, but nonetheless the show must go on.
Local talent is still expected to grace the event at Koketso Farm on July 30, of which shall be announced in due time according to Events 101.
Ticket prices, however, remain the same at P100 for single, P250 for double, and P1,500 for VIP, although refunds are available to those who already purchased the tickets, the event organisers indicated.