Professor no-show irks revellers

South African kwaito artist, Professor, has drawn the wrath of local artists over his failure to show up at the Big Summer Music Party, which took place last Sunday.

Professor, real name Mkhonzeni Langa, was the main headliner at the show also pooled other local artists such as Black Missionaries Band, Lucius Banda and Zembani Band, Lulu and the Mathumera Band and also Police Ochestra Band.

But patrons who thronged the venue had a rude awakening to learn that the South African artist ‘had missed his flight’ in South Africa and, therefore, would not make it at the live concert.

This was despite organisers of the show Phindu Promotions paying the artist R50 000 and also issuing tickets for the artist alongside his crew, according to a performance contract The Nation has seen.

Master of ceremony at the show Kennedy Nkombezi was the first to break the sad news to the craving fans who received the news with aversion as they jeered while panting with anger.

When Lucius Banda took over the microphone later, he also took his time to blast the South African kwaito maestro and other foreign artists for taking Malawians for granted.

“I am very disappointed with Professor. I mean why should it be an excuse for big artists like him that he has missed a flight. It’s high time we Malawians reflected in our minds that this is the time to support local artists who honour their shows,” said Lucius, who was a marvel to watch as he spiced up his performances with jokes.

Black Missionaries Band front man Anjiru Fumulani also had no kind words for Professor over his conduct.

“It is very disheartening for Malawians to be treated like this. And we local artists learn a lot from our fellow foreign artists such as the stage work, the interaction with the audience and other skills and if they fail to show up like this, it’s very worrying to us,” said Anjiru.

Weighing in on the complaints, music enthusiasist and promoter Jai Banda also blasted Professor and his agent DJ Flavour for breaching the contract.

Jai Banda’s posh vehicle registration BT 26, a van and other top of-the-range vehicles belonging to Countrywide Car Hire were lined up for a convoy to pick-up Professor from Kamuzu International Airport but only to wait in vain.

The 55 000 megawatts state-of-the-art equipment, which was used at the concert and belonged to Jai, apparently compensated the sombre mood by patrons over Professor non-attendance.

Yesterday, Phindu Promotions director Abel Kumwenda furnished The Nation with a performance contract and payment notifications to Professor through First National Bank of South Africa.

In an interview earlier, the visibly concerned Kumwenda, said they are consulting their South African-based lawyer Tafadzwa Banda for possible legal action against Professor.

“We have in the past brought Mampi, Organised Family, Dalisoul from Zambia and other foreign artists. But we have learnt a lesson on this one in that we have to directly deal with the artist than through the agent. But it is sad that after paying Professor the agreed sum, he did not honour the contract, it’s saddening,” said Kumwenda.

Kumwenda suspects that Professor has some issues with his agent DJ Flavour, hence, his failure to show up.

Efforts to talk to DJ Flavour proved futile as The Nation repeatedly attempted to seek his reaction on the failure by his client to perform in Malawi despite pocketing the fee.