MASERU — South African star Ringo Madlingozi is no longer coming for the Lesotho Charity Show set for Maseru Club this Saturday.
The Into Yam’ singer was billed to perform alongside compatriots Freshlyground who are however still expected to make it as the headline act.
Local stars Bhudaza and Tshepo Tshola have been roped in to take up Ringo’s slot.
Organisers of Saturday’s show were yesterday not clear on why Ringo had pulled out but they claimed they had already paid him half of the performance fee he wanted.
“There has been a huge change in the line-up for the Lesotho Charity Show set for Saturday,” Motoeli ‘Moleli, co-ordinator of the concert, announced at a press conference yesterday.
“Ringo will not be coming to the event due to miscommunication that occurred during the booking process.
“So in his place we have lined up Bhudaza and Tshepo Tshola.”
‘Moleli said they were trying to recover the advance payment they had made to Ringo.
“We are still in negotiations because we had paid the deposit and signed a contract so we could use his name on posters,” he said.
“But in reality they have to return the money because now the cost of having Tshola and Bhudaza together is higher than his alone.”
‘Moleli said they had made plans to refund those who were no longer interested in attending the show because of Ringo’s absence.
He said by Tuesday up to 1 000 tickets had been sold.
“We believe this might cause havoc with spectators so we have arranged for a refund to those who had bought tickets to see Ringo,” ‘Moleli said.
“We are giving people a grace period of between Thursday 12 midday until Friday at 5pm and anytime after that will not count.”
Tshola, who was also at the press conference, said he hoped locals would still come out in their numbers for the charity concert whose proceeds will help underprivileged but bright schoolchildren.
“Although it was at the eleventh hour when we were approached, the nature of the event proved to need our support as local artists,” Tshola said.
“We get people giving us names claiming we are incompetent and always arrive late at events or cancel shows without looking at the bigger picture that we are commanded by promoters.
“We are promising excitement and fun and hope locals will support the show.”
South African DJs Vetkoek vs Mahoota as well as Costa are also scheduled to perform at the concert.
