KARIBA artistes have decried lack of support which they say is hindering their progress in the showbiz industry and leading to some abandoning their careers for other ventures.
Real Sound Killer (RSK) studios executive producer Godknows Ngirichi said artistes were wallowing in poverty even though they had talents which they thought were going to take them somewhere.
“Some artistes cannot even raise money to record their music, except for a few who are employed elsewhere,” Ngirichi said.
“We even have artistes who started their career years ago, but up to this day, they have not had good fortunes and this has led to some of them leaving the industry for other ventures. We thus need resources if we are to have successful careers.”
Gospel artiste Simba Chikomo urged the corporate world to assist artistes through sponsorships and endorsements so that they are able to travel and perform at big functions even outside the resort town.
“We are calling upon the corporate world and other sponsors to chip in with financial support. We have talent, but because we lack resources, we are not enjoying the fruits of our talents,” Chikomo noted.
The singer has so far produced more than five albums, including Step by Step, which was released in 2020.
Journalist Admore Mbonda called on media houses to recognise the work of artistes.
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“Artistes need our support as players in the media fraternity. They need publicity hence we should support them as the media,” he said, applauding some local promoters who have of late been putting together resources to support local artistes.
Kariba Incorporated Area Residents and Ratepayers Association (KIARRA) president Samu Mawawo concurred with Chikomo that there was a need to invest in local artistes.
“Let us rally behind our local artistes and give them the necessary support as residents. We need a national ambassador to come out of Kariba,” he said.
“Kariba has talent that should be nurtured. In a few years, big names in Zimbabwe showbiz will be from this tourist hotspot. I cannot wait to see one of our artistes performing even at national or regional events or sharing the stage with a big artiste in Zimbabwe.”
Challenges facing artistes in Kariba are not only common to the resort town.
Last year, Afro-jazz songbird and Zimbabwe Musicians Union president Edith WeUtonga bemoaned the sidelining of women in musical events.
WeUtonga said women always had to fight to be part of any line-up despite being good performers on the international stage, where they are well recognised.
“Women are doing well and are recognised outside Zimbabwe as people who can be part of the line-up. Another sad realisation is that we still have a patriarchal way of thinking, when people are planning, they don’t think women can be part of it,” she said.
