Gospel artiste embroiled in controversy

GASEBALWE SERETSE
Staff Writer | Wednesday February 6, 2008 00:00

 

A few weeks back, Showbiz reported how Keitumele is alleged to have used underhand tactics to lure the young gospel artiste, Vusi to his stable. Now the artiste is embroiled in yet another controversy surrounding the production of a video based on his popular Mokaragana character Ntsoro.

According to independent producer Botswelelo Tsekane, some time last year, he and Keitumele embarked on the production of the video, which featured both him and Keitumele in starring roles together.

'We were left with just a few clips to finish the first episode when Keitumele started failing to honour appointments and the next thing I read from newspapers that he is doing the project with other people,' says Tsekane.

The bitter producer claims that he has incurred production costs amounting to more than P 20,000, adding that he regrets having worked with the controversial artiste.

He further says up to now he has no clue as to why Keitumele, whom he describes as a friend, deserted him in the middle of production, which was supposed to end after 20 episodes.

All he remembers is that the artiste once had a tiff with one of the lead characters, Mpho, and he suspects that he might have used that as an excuse to abandon the project.Mpho, who declined to give his full name to Showbiz, says that he approached Keitumele about the concept of shooting the Ntsoro video. He says he was surprised when, in the middle of production, the artiste started distancing himself.

'Joel Keitumele and I are friends and I think the main thing that has disrupted production is the fact that there is a communication breakdown between us,' says Mpho who is also an actor.He reckoned that production probably stalled because Keitumele was involved in many projects.On the other hand, Tsekane further alleges that Keitumele also approached him and asked him to manage him as a stand-up comedian. The former booked shows for Keitumele who allegedly did not bother to honour the arrangements.

'Right  now I am being hounded by the owners of a certain venue who want money from me,' says Tsekane.

When Showbiz contacted Keitumele about the allegations, he tried to downplay the situation, claiming that Tsekane was a pastor and as such he would not want to talk to the media about him.'The thing is, I have not cut Tsekane out of the production of the DVD, but it seems like the man is involved in many video shootings around town and that stalled everything,' said Joel when pressed to speak.

Keitumele was at pains to explain why he has involved other people in the project without first informing Tsekane who had been heading production.In a surprise move, the television presenter begged Showbiz to facilitate reconciliation between him and Tsekane. For his part, the producer says he is ready to speak with Keitumele although 'I am tired of his dodgy ways'.