Top artists who were booked as crowd pullers to perform at Moretele Jazz Festival last year were paid on the “32nd” of the month. Sunday World can exclusively reveal that the festival organiser, Sam Mangwana, has failed to pay the artists, almost a year after they showcased their talents at the annual jamboree, which is popular and draws people from all walks of life.
Among the galaxy of artists who were bamboozled of their payments were Sipho “Hot-stix” Mabuse, Vusi Mahlasela, Condry Ziqubu, and Mamohubibu Joy “Majoy” Ledwaba, who is also an actress on the SABC 1 drama series Skeem Saam. Legend Band — which comprised artists who were supposed to imitate songs produced by the late singers Miriam Makeba, jazz juggernaut Hugh Masekela and musician Tshepo Tshola — was dumped at the 11th hour, and is owed R191, 000.
Multiple sources, who are close to the musicians, said that Mangwana paid Mabuse, Mahlasela, Ziqubu and Ledwaba deposits and asked them to strut their stuff at the carnival and promised to pay them their outstanding amounts after the show.
“The artists agreed, and he then transferred the deposits of the performance fees into their accounts and told them that if they did not pitch, they would forfeit their outstanding balance and also be forced to pay back the deposits,” said a record company owner who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals.
After they performed, said the owner, the artists called Mangwana and asked him to pay them their outstanding quantums, but he showed them the middle finger.
“It is disturbing, because this man told them that he had received a lot of money from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture to pay the artists he lined up to perform at the event,” said the record label boss.
The stable boss said the artists sent Mangwana a barrage of messages, asking him to remit payment, but he simply blue-ticked them.
“I know that they have now asked their lawyers to sue him for damages. It is unfortunate that another black brother could treat black artists like this while knowing their historical background,” said the stable owner.
Ziqubu confirmed that they had briefed their lawyers to take legal action against Mangwana.
“I charged him a R50, 000 performance fee; he paid me R20, 000 deposit and promised to pay me the outstanding balance after the show, but he disappeared.
“I have sent him several messages, but he ignored them. It’s painful when an old man like that with integrity could do something like this to us.
“We have been waiting for almost a year now, and no payment is forthcoming,” Ziqubu said.
Legend Band members approached their legal representative Siphiwe Ntombela who wrote a letter to Mangwana demanding payment. In the letter, which we have seen, Ntombela stated the band wanted him to pay it the outstanding quantum for breach of contract.
This after he dropped them from performing at the event after spending time rehearsing for the shindig.
Ntombela indicated that Mangwana pulled a fast one on the band after advertising them on the poster as among the artists booked to showcase their talents at the festival.
“As mentioned previously, the Legends Band is seeking compensation from yourself as Drakensberg Promotions. The total amount being R191, 000 Legends Band has indicated that they have not received any communication from yourself instructing them to halt any rehearsals and deny that they were formally informed and legally withdrawn from the lineup for the December 2 concert,” reads the letter.
But Mangwana turned a blind to the letter.
