Dalom Kids stranded in Zimbabwe

WHILE Splash music star and stable owner Dan Tshanda, was likely somewhere off the coast relishing at his profits after a performance in Zimbabwe recently, his label mates Dalom Kids were reportedly stranded, only to be bailed out at the last minute by the South African Embassy, Sunday Leisure is reliably informed.

South African Embassy officials, however, declined to comment saying the ambassador, who was best suited to comment on the matter was in a meeting and would most likely be unavailable until tomorrow.

"I can't confirm that with you. The ambassador is in a meeting. He is the only one who can comment on that. We are knocking off at mid day and we will only be back on Monday and we will only be able to respond then," said a woman from the South African embassy in Harare.

The group is also said to have been living like drifters, after their Bulawayo and Beitbridge performances.

Sekunjalo Music Promotions director, Dave Ncube, however, said Tshanda only left the group behind and went to South Africa because he had to seal a deal with music promoters for a show, which was scheduled for this past weekend in Venda, Limpopo.

"Dan is the leader of the group and he handles all their contracts hence he left Bulawayo for South Africa to meet the guys and conclude the deal for a show being held this weekend," said Ncube who is popularly known as Madamara.

He said it would not have made sense for all of them to go to South Africa and then return for the Harare show.

"It would not have made sense for all of them to go back and then return for the Harare show, particularly relating to modalities of work permits. It would have been costly for us, but anyway this is not the first time such has been done, we have done it before with the Soul Brothers having the leaders going back while other band members remained," said Madamara.

He said Tshanda left Harare for South Africa ahead of the band members because he traveled by air, while the rest of the crew used road transport.

Madamara admitted they had made a loss saying the show was poorly attended; citing lack of adequate publicity and location of the venue as factors that contributed to the turnout.

Less than a hundred people are reported to have paid for the show.

"We did not give it our all when it came to publicity and we only realised later that the venue was not ideal for the show as the crowd usually associated with the place does not follow Dan's music, but it was a lesson for us and we are picking ourselves up and preparing for other music shows," said Madamara.