ORGANISERS of the recently-held Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards have revealed that singer Calvin Mangena missed the rehearsals and could not be allowed to perform at the awards ceremony.
The annual awards ceremony was held about a fortnight ago at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Grounds in Bulawayo.
“The performances were done with a live band which means everyone had to be there for rehearsals. Mangena was not available at any time and there is no way he could have been part of the act,” awards spokesperson Nkululeko Nkala told NewsDay Life & Style.
The multi-talented Nkala popularly known as Khuliyo, added that the stage was open to everyone who wanted to perform their song since they had an open-door policy.
Mangena said his failure to perform at the seventh edition of the awards ceremony was due to logistical challenges as he was in South Africa.
“I got the call from the organisers asking me to be part of the performers at the main event, but I did not perform because I was in Cape Town at the time. I am sure I will make it up to the people of the City of Kings soon,” the Ihulumende hitmaker said.
“When my song was performed, I was humbled. I understand the artistes gave their full effort to wow the audience, but I felt they should have given the song to other artistes because it seemed like all the work was being loaded on Mandie Mae and Fish Ndaramu.”
At the awards, Mangena was nominated in four categories — namely Outstanding Alternative Music, Outstanding Male Artiste (which he took home), Outstanding Song of the Year and Outstanding Music Video.
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“I am so glad that talent is being recognised even when we think it is not and for me it is a huge achievement so far because it was my first time to submit for awards and I got a win for the people that support my movement,” he noted.
The musician promised his fans more music that includes some collaborations coming this December and next year.
