WE WERE NOT WANTED: SELMOR’S BAND MEMBER

A MEMBER of Selmor Mtukudzi’s group claims they were NOT WANTED at the Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival of the Arts and the organisers allegedly frustrated them, at every turn, and made the environment hostile for the band.

The band member, who chose not to be named for professional reasons, told H-Metro he was not surprised when Selmor broke down on stage on Saturday night.

He claimed the group was not included in the pre-event programmes and the dinner which was held for the participating acts and they were only told to arrive a few minutes before their slot.

No accommodation was also organised by the organisers for Tuku’s long-time lieutenant Picky Kasamba who stays in Bindura.

“Selmor was never invited in the first place. She was not wanted at the event,” said the band member.

“Her name was included on the performers list because the public had protested and it was a calculated move by the organisers to mislead a nation that all was now well.

“All invited groups were supposed to be treated to an official dinner, meet-and-greet affair but that was not extended to Selmor and we only arrived just five minutes before the start of our slot as advised.

“The team had received no official invite and were told to be at the venue just in time for the act.

“We arrived and went straight on stage.

“The events prior to us going on stage showed us that we were not welcome. There were none of the organisers to welcome our group and the atmosphere was very tense.”

He added:

“Selmor couldn’t stomach the ordeal and she broke down.

“Remember, this was the first time she was using this stage since the death of Tuku.

“Sandra took Selmor off stage but she fell down heavily backstage and it was a sad moment for all of us. This issue has left me emotionally bruised as well.

“I had thought the organisers were going to play ball and try to hide and contain any fissures but it was so clear that we were outcasts.

“Tisu vaye vainzi tinokutambirai ‘nemi mangouyawo’ pa song yamudhara Tuku iya ‘Tinokutambirai Mauya.’”