African traditional music gets the boot

A MUSIC promoter has been denied an opportunity to stage a scathamiya concert in Soweto.

The promoter says the owners of the venue claim that someone always dies at concerts of this musical genre.

Nelly Dladla, a member of female mbaqanga group Zambo, wanted to stage a scathamiya concert on August 25 at Mzimhlophe Hall.

But she was shocked to learn that maskandi and scathamiya events were not welcomed at the venue.

"The caretaker told me that maskandi and scathamiya people were not controllable.

"He said if the two genres were sung by another tribe [besides Zulus] he would gladly help me," Dladla said.

Amos Khumalo, the caretaker of Mzimhlophe Hall, admitted that he had not allowed the event to be staged.

"Yes, I have stopped people from staging maskandi and scathamiya music festivals at the venue because I have my reasons," Khumalo said.

"Whenever they have an event someone dies. Last year someone died during a maskandi event. Two weeks ago they had an event and a man was stabbed to death."

He added that he had decided that African traditional music events would not be staged.

"This is temporary. My aim is not to offend them because Mzimhlophe is dominated by Zulus. For example, when you tell them that shows must end at 6pm on Sunday, they don't listen. They continue until 10pm."