By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Controversial businessman, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, has reportedly utilised his Bridging Gaps Foundation to pay US$245,000 on behalf of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church, effectively blocking Winky D’s highly anticipated New Year’s Eve crossover show at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).
The revelation has sent shockwaves through the entertainment community after Winky D, one of Zimbabwe’s most beloved music icons, accused the venue owners, the Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG), of canceling an event booking made months in advance.
In a statement, Winky D’s team expressed their frustration, saying, “The venue owners have chosen to prioritize another event on the same date.”
Sources close to the situation revealed that the SDA Church secured the HICC for its annual crossover service, prompting considerable backlash from Winky D’s supporters.
Prior to this, the church traditionally hosted its crossover service at Glamis Arena Stadium.
In addition to the venue booking, the deal reportedly include arrangements for 200 hotel rooms for a five-day period, with the total fee hitting a substantial amount of $245,000 USD. This hefty payment rendered the venue unavailable for Winky D, whose proposal to share revenue with RTG was reportedly dismissed as less financially lucrative.
As of now, Pride Khumbula, the corporate communications manager for Rainbow Tourism Group, has yet to make a statement on the issue, leaving fans and industry figures waiting for clarifications amidst the growing controversy.
The incident raises questions about the ethics of prioritising events based on financial agreements and the implications for local talent within the entertainment industry.Whilst the decision looks business oriented, it leaves a sour taste when it comes to ethics.