Zodwa Wabantu Permitted to Perform At Harare International Carnival

Speaking at a press conference in Harare yesterday, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) boss Karikoga Kaseke said Zodwa Wabantu is welcome to join the 5th Harare International Carnival to be held from October 14 to 20.

Kaseke said the Ministry of Tourism which was at the time held by Patrick Zhuwao on an acting basis was wrong to ban Zodwa from participating. Said Kaseke:

There is nothing immoral about what Zodwa does. She was going to join the street procession decently dressed last year; it was wrong for the Ministry of Tourism to ban her from participating. It was Biggie Chinoperekwei who was going to bring Zodwa for a performance at Private Lounge and he asked if she could join the procession which we had agreed to.

Kaseke said 19 countries have already confirmed their participation including Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, Egypt, United States, China and Ghana. Locally, 35 traditional groups, 28 contemporary arts groups, 36 schools, 12 tertiary institutions, 30 companies have confirmed attendance with 40 people having expressed interest to hold block parties. The carnival was supposed to be held in July but was postponed to October. This year’s main street party will be held on October 20.