Hitmaker Kharishma continued to chokeslam her blossoming music career after she failed to show up at a festival where she was booked to perform a fortnight ago.
The queen of lekompo did not only disappoint her fans but also imperilled the life of the music promoter, Tebogo Manganye, as he could have been attacked by fans who thought he exploited the enfant terrible’s name to market the festival, which was called Touching Life.
Kharishma, real name Melita Mogale, was supposed to strut her stuff at the festival alongside tearaway rapper Shebeshxt and Shandesh, among others.
This was corroborated by the surfeit of flyers and posters circulated by the impresario to market the show. Her legion of fans bought tickets to interact with their object of obsession.
They expected the chanteuse, whose song Chokeslam was the second biggest song after Biri Marung that ushered South Africans into the year 2025, to serenade them after Shebeshxt.
But they were left disappointed after she failed to pitch up. They had waited for her until 8am the following day. Speaking to Sunday World, Manganye said he was disappointed that Kharishma did not show up at the festival.
He said the singer was like a leopard that does not change its spots.
“She has done this for the second time. She failed to perform at one of my shows, and I accepted the explanation she gave me,” he said.
Manganyi said when he realised that Kharishma was not at the stadium when her time to perform was advancing, he contacted her.
The musician, he said, told him that she was at the stadium but left because she could not gain access as it was bursting at the seams.
“The question is why didn’t she phone me so I could arrange for security to get her in?”
Manganye said fortunately there were no drunk yobs who protested over Kharishma’s no-show.
“She said she will come and perform at my upcoming shows, and hopefully this time around she will not disappoint me and her fans,” said Manganye.
Mapula Moloto from Thabina village, who together with her friends descended on Lenyenye Stadium to watch Kharishma perform, said she was piqued.
“I’m Karishama’s big fan. I really wanted to see her perform, but I was disappointed to learn that she was not coming. I hope she changes her attitude because this is suicidal for her. Next time we will not buy the tickets to her shows because we are no longer sure if she would come,” she said.
Mohlago Mogoboya from Lephepane also expressed her disappointment.
“Buying a ticket with the hope of seeing Karishma is just a waste of resources because she will not pitch up, and even the organisers won’t refund us.”
This is the second festival in less than three months where Kharishma pulled the fast one on fans and promoters. She failed to perform at the annual Marula festival where she was booked to perform.
After negative publicity about her failure to show up, she refunded the event organiser.
