It is scandalous that one of South Africa's exciting musical exports, Umoja, was grounded by feuding between the producers and cast while on a recent tour of Canada.

It is scandalous that one of South Africa's exciting musical exports, Umoja, was grounded by feuding between the producers and cast while on a recent tour of Canada.

Worse, tensions between the two parties have not only continued back home but have degenerated into a damaging bout of public mudslinging - much to the embarrassment and shock of fellow South Africans.

Rather than settle down for some serious introspection aimed at preventing a repeat of what happened in Canada, when boozing and bonking among some cast members sabotaged the show, verbal exchanges continue unabated between the parties.

And lost in the public spat is the appreciation by the two parties of their important role as cultural ambassadors of South Africa while on overseas tours.

After wowing local audiences, Umoja grew as a cultural brand complemented by the favourable image enjoyed by South Africa internationally. The overseas tours that followed generated more international interest in the show, giving the cast much-needed exposure on the world stage.

But all that effort may now come to naught as the image of the show continues to suffer irreparably because of a crew failing to see the wood for the trees.

Let's hope both cast and producers will come to their senses soon, not only when bookings trickle to a stop.