Entertainment / Celebrity
South Africa's Poet Mzwakhe Mbuli pulled out of Cosatu’s 25th anniversary celebrations
12 Dec 2010 at 01:08hrs | Views
South Africa's Poet Mzwakhe Mbuli (People's Poet) distraught with Cosatu for not including his name on the list of artists who were advertised to perform at the Cosatu's 25th anniversary celebrations held at Ellis Park Stadium last weekend.
Mzwakhe was booked to perform alongside Jonas Gwangwa, Letta Mbulu, Vusi Mahlasela, Rebecca Malope, DJ Cleo, Big NUZ, Ntando, Ihashi Elimhlophe and others to celebrate Cosatu's 25 years of existence.
Mzwakhe told Sunday World, that trade union federation disrespected him by not including his name on the list and classifing him as OTHERS.
"The fact that I was not mentioned shows that they don't take me seriously.
"I was the first person to perform for free when Cosatu was formed," Mbuli says.
A few days before the concert, he returned the deposit that was paid to him after he agreed to perform at the event.
"I was classified as 'others'. When I look at some of the artists who were in the advert, they never participated in the struggle, let alone became part of Cosatu," Mbuli says.
He says he sympathised with people like Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi who had expressed their wish to have him in the line-up from the beginning.
"But those who have been tasked with the duty of organising the event ill-treated some of us.
"I tried to meet them halfway but they continued with their arrogance.
"I couldn't work with them. If they thought I was there for the money, they were wrong.
"If I wanted money, I would not have performed for free for many years at Cosatu rallies," Mbuli says.
Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven says they were not aware that Mbuli had pulled out of last week's show.
"We knew he was billed to perform but we didn't make any enquiry as to why he couldn't perform," Craven says.
Mzwakhe was booked to perform alongside Jonas Gwangwa, Letta Mbulu, Vusi Mahlasela, Rebecca Malope, DJ Cleo, Big NUZ, Ntando, Ihashi Elimhlophe and others to celebrate Cosatu's 25 years of existence.
Mzwakhe told Sunday World, that trade union federation disrespected him by not including his name on the list and classifing him as OTHERS.
"The fact that I was not mentioned shows that they don't take me seriously.
"I was the first person to perform for free when Cosatu was formed," Mbuli says.
A few days before the concert, he returned the deposit that was paid to him after he agreed to perform at the event.
"I was classified as 'others'. When I look at some of the artists who were in the advert, they never participated in the struggle, let alone became part of Cosatu," Mbuli says.
"But those who have been tasked with the duty of organising the event ill-treated some of us.
"I tried to meet them halfway but they continued with their arrogance.
"I couldn't work with them. If they thought I was there for the money, they were wrong.
"If I wanted money, I would not have performed for free for many years at Cosatu rallies," Mbuli says.
Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven says they were not aware that Mbuli had pulled out of last week's show.
"We knew he was billed to perform but we didn't make any enquiry as to why he couldn't perform," Craven says.
Source - Byo24
