MAI TITI, TREVOR D FLEECED IN JOZI
. . . ‘PROMOTER’ VARNISHES WITH GATE-TAKINGS
MAI Titi became the latest victim to join the ever-growing list of Zimbabwean entertainers who have been exploited by some dubious promoters in South Africa. The multi-talented artiste was billed to perform four shows across South Africa over the Valentine’s weekend alongside Trevor Dongo.
The shows were much-anticipated but owing to Covid19 protocols all shows ended up flopping with fewer than expected fans attending.
The first show was in Durban on Friday night and the second was in Cape Town and they ended with two shows in Johannesburg at Pamusha and Tsar Lounge on Sunday night.
It was at the final Sunday night show where the promoter Royce Mapaike of Exquisite Entertainment disappeared from the venue before the show ended. The two artistes had to endure a long wait as they had to hike back to Cosmo City where they had been booked into a lodge.
“It was an embarrassment to see Mai Titi and Trevor stuck like that in the middle of the night with no transport. The promoter’s phone was off and they had to call friends for help,” said one fan who saw the events unfolding.
H-Metro tracked down Reason Chikuvira aka Big Father who had been assisting with the tour’s logistics.
“We were assisting Royce with logistics and I personally didn’t know he could turn the tables like this. The artistes did their best and deserve fair remuneration. I was also not paid and we are looking for Royce,” said Chikwavira.
Sources close to the issue said Royce didn’t have money to bankroll the tour and had to be rescued by some friends.
“The Durban show was well attended and Mai Titi got her share. It was the other shows that problems emerged,” said the mole.
H-Metro also has it on good authority that Royce had not refunded a benefactor identified as Rasheed who had paid all the return tickets for Mai Titi and Trevor for the local flights. Rasheed apparently had to grab two smartphones from Royce as part payment for what he is owed.
Mai Titi and Trevor had to be rescued yesterday morning from the lodge they were locked up in, as it had also not been paid. Another aggrieved artiste is Tatenda Sean Mhlanga aka DJ Tatenda from Durban who was supposed to be paid R2 000 for his performance.
When contacted for comment Mai Titi confirmed that she was indeed not paid her full dues and she cant get hold of Royce.
“Yeah its true haana kubhadhara I am at least in a better position because I got at least a quarter of what I charged in Durban. The rest of the artistes were not given even a cent and tirikumutsvaga Roy,” she said yesterday. She was visibly livid on a social media live session yesterday.
This is not the first time that artistes have been duped in South Africa. The list includes the likes of the late Tongai Moyo, Bhutisi, Trevor, Jah Signal, Hwinza and many others.
“It is advisable that artistes enter into prepayments with these so-called promoters so that they are covered before they even board a plane or bus. Things are tough at the moment and there are people who are out to make quick buck,” said one established promoter who declined to be named.
Royce, who was promoting this weekend’s shows runs a cellphone repair shop. Efforts to contact him were fruitless as his known numbers were going straight to voice mail. He apparently has left the place he used to stay in Cosmo City.