Rebecca Malope fails to turn up for Gwanda gospel extravaganza

THE Queen of gospel music, Rebecca Malope did not show up at the gospel extravaganza in Gwanda.

She was supposed to perform at a two-day musical show which was held at Phelandaba Stadium on Friday and Saturday night.

She was the only artiste among all others who were expected, who did not attend the event.

While the show organisers had initially been silent about Malope's situation, some fans started chanting "Sifuna uRebecca! Sifuna uRebecca!"

Following the demands for the queen of gospel music to make an appearance on Saturday night when the show was almost closing, the MC of the day, Stone of Bongo Maffin said she failed to make it because of "technical problems."

"Rebecca didn't manage to be here. Just like you, we were also disappointed," Stone said.

It was not made clear to the fans what the technical problems were, leaving many dissatisfied with the response.

Malope's absence left the fans unhappy as some said they had attended the show "just to see Rebecca."

One of the organisers of the show, Reverend Sipho Mhizha of Brethren in Christ Church in Gwanda promised to provide an explanation but had not done so at the time of going to print.

However, Lionel De Necker who was also part of the organising team said:

"Malope and her group missed their flight. We know that most people were disappointed but this was just an unfortunate incident."

"Efforts were made to try and reschedule the flights, but it was difficult."

The South African gospel artistes - Rebecca Malope, Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Lusanda Spiritual Group, Tshepiso Motaung, Dumi Mkokstad, Bethusile Mcinga and jazz legend Tshepo Tshola were initially expected in the country on Thursday last week but the immigration department had by then not cleared them to perform in Zimbabwe resulting in the trip being postponed to the following day.

All other artistes gave splendid performances and left the crowd of people that had filled the stadium over the two days wanting more.

The show financier, Gwanda-born businessman now based in South Africa, Justice Maphosa said they faced a lot of challenges in preparing for the show but thanked God that it came to fruition.

"We didn't come here as people with suits or money but we came here battered, with lack of energy, tried and tested.

"Many things happened that tried to stop this show. We're happy that it has finally happened.

"We hope to be back again next year, five times bigger. Gwanda will never be the same again," he told the crowd at the stadium.

The event was also attended by the South African King Bungane lll of the Royal Kingdom of Embo.