DJ Maphorisa, Kabza de Small and Shasha have been requested to pay back their full booking fee, money used on flights and accommodation following their failure to show up at the Victoria Falls Carnival.
The headline acts were billed to perform at the carnival on Friday on the Pure Africa Sunset Cruise and at the main event later that evening but never showed up despite being paid in full, organisers said.
“DJ Maphorisa, Kabza and Shasha were paid in full for the Vic Falls Carnival event on the 29th of April 2022 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Booking confirmations, flight confirmations and accommodation confirmations were sent to them several times before, for some reason they did not show up at the airport on the day of the event,” said Carnival organisers in a statement.
“From the Vic Falls Carnival side, they honoured the contract as agreed. . . The artistes have shown total disregard for the contract and this is unacceptable. The artists should; 1.Pay back the full booking fee. 2. Pay back all the flights that were booked on time. 3.Pay back accommodation that was booked on time. 4.Give Vic Falls Carnival a statement in this regard. 5.Mostly, apologise to the fans who travelled all over the world to come see them perform,” further read a statement that was issued by High Yards.
Carnival organisers had earlier apologised for the non-appearance of the headline acts.
“To all our loyal Vic Falls Carnival fans, over the past six months, we as a team have worked tirelessly to create our best Vic Falls Carnival edition for its 10th-year celebration at our new and bigger venue with its own standalone dates. We’ve looked to book some of Africa’s top artists from across the continent to make this 10th edition a carnival to remember for you the fans, who have made the Carnival what it is today – a world-renowned festival celebrating Africa and its different cultures,” wrote organisers.
“Day 1 of the Carnival was set to kick off the celebrations with headliners DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small and Sha Sha, due to perform on the Pure Africa Sunset Cruise and at the main event later in the evening. DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small and Sha Sha did not make their flights and in doing so, have let us down as an event, and more importantly you as fans, who expected their arrival and performances at the Carnival,” the statement further read.
Organisers insisted “all three artists were paid in full and contractually bound to perform at the Carnival, and accommodated at every corner with their numerous flight and accommodation change requests.
“Our teams, along with their booking agent, have been trying all weekend to book them on the next available flight into Vic Falls in order for us to reschedule their performances for today. We have tried all avenues to ensure they make it to the Carnival but our team, and their booking agent, are not able to reach them to confirm an alternate plan.”
