Zintle Kwaaiman, a dancer and musician from the Eastern Cape, has shared her story of being undervalued and unpaid for an event she was booked for.
The celebrity, who made her debut at the Durban July, claimed that she had a booking to perform in KZN. However, the organisers paid her no attention when she showed up for the event.
She was scheduled to share the stage alongside DJ Tira, Black Motion, Daliwonga, and other performers at the Durban July All Black event.
“Worst treatment ever. I’ve never felt so small in my life. And the bottom line is that I didn’t perform. I need a hug,” she wrote.
Posted video on Facebook
According to Kwaaiman, the person who booked her did not prepare a table for her to sit at. And she did not receive her rider (drinks preferred by artists at bookings).
In a video she posted on her Facebook account, the Uthando noXolo hitmaker poured her heart out. She said she was supposed to perform in the early hours of the morning. However, the organisers changed things, claiming that the performances were delayed by 30 minutes.
“Firstly, I arrived at the venue at around 11 pm. I was standing in between tables with my high heels. Then I decided to smoke weed and drink water because I did not want to combine weed with alcohol,” she narrated.
She further said she honoured the gig because she wanted to build relations.
“When it was my time to perform, I was told to hand over my USB to a DJ who was going to come on stage after me. And that he was going to play for me. I waited by the stage while he played his music.
Sidelined on stage with no equipment
“Because he continued, I went on stage, took the mic and tried to prepare the audience, but the mic was down. When I asked him to open the mic, he said he does not control the mic. That is when I packed my stuff and booked an Uber ride,” she added.
She said she left the venue at 5am on Monday morning without an explanation from the organisers.
“This was a lesson learned for me, because I did not even push for payments before I attended the event. Which is something I do not usually do. I attend bookings with all my money upfront.
“I did not get paid.”
Sunday World contacted the organisers and they said they were not aware that Kwaaiman did not perform.
“I can confirm that Zintle was booked to perform. If she was not allowed to perform, that is probably a stage management issue. The event was delayed, so we were trying to squeeze all the artists in.
“She is supposed to get her payment in two days from now.”
