Hitmaker says gig negotiations not finalised
Local musician Msaki has accused the Eastern Cape Jazz Festival founder Mlindi Ntloko of false advertising.
The Iimfama Ziyabona hitmaker, real name Asanda Mvana, said she had been in talks with the founder of the event about her performance but they never concluded that she would perform for the hour-long virtual show on April 22.
On the poster seen by Sunday World, Msaki is said to have a virtual performance gig, which is expected to educate people on the importance of staying at home during the lockdown, as it has been extended by a further 14 days.
“I don’t want to speak to you about anything relating to the Eastern Cape Jazz Festival because nothing has been finalised yet, no one is sure if I will be performing at the event or not. I am aware that posters are out, but that is wrong because it is before the matter is finalised. This advertising is fake because there are missing answers,” said Msaki.
“I explained that I am not willing to say anything to the papers, this is unacceptable as nothing has been communicated to me.”
The irate East London musician said fans should not ready themselves to watch her perform on Wednesday unless the organising team clears the air in less than two days. Ntloko was also in hot water last year for delaying payment and failing to transport Lindiwe Maxolo to the performance venue, while Selaelo Selota also complained that his time slot was changed at the 11th hour.
But the organiser said he and Msaki had discussed the matter on several occasions, where she also sent the picture through for the team to design a poster.
He said they approached her because she was loved by the masses in the Eastern Cape and believed she would be the right person to deliver the quarantine message to people, especially of her home province.
“I am not trying to use Msaki to mislead crowds and draw attention to this event. I personally spoke to her, not through her PR team or manager. I spoke to her directly and asked her if she would partner with us this year in delivering this special message to the nation, and she agreed,” said Ntloko.
“We took it further and she even posted the gig on her Instagram, she had a successful interview on this gig and we are expecting another one from eNCA. I don’t understand why she is suddenly trying to back [off] from the event, especially because we are fast approaching the big day.”
Ntloko said he was preparing to look for another artist to replace Msaki after she has shown signs of wanting to dump him.
