The ‘We Are Able’ gala dinner music festival, a platform intended to support and showcase works by artists living with disabilities, has taken an unfortunate turn as artists engage in a bitter war with the event promoter over outstanding payments.
The festival was held at Baisago Convention Center on 27 May under the theme ‘Recognising, Promoting and Developing Skills’.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Youth Gender Sport and Culture under promoter Bernard Sekgwa’s Forest Productions, the do is said to have been a huge success on its first run.
However, to their surprise, after fulfilling their part of the bargain and delivering epic performances, some of the artists claim they have not been paid and have since been ghosted by Sekgwa.
Lentswe la Batlhokapono, Annafiki, Omzah, Tapsen, Frankie Flow, Kabo Matlho and Thapelo Malani are believed to be among the artists owed from the festival.
“He initially gave us each P5, 000 upfront to use on transport since we were all coming from different places. After the festival, he told us he would balance us off after he has done some bookkeeping,” disclosed a reliable source who took part in the festival.
Once a week had elapsed, they reached out again for an update only to reportedly receive the reply ‘Ke rile ke tlaa le duela (I said I will pay you).’
It seems the same song has been sung repeatedly since, with no clear indication of when exactly that payment would be done.
Sekgwa apparently owes the artists a total sum of about P50, 000 from the festival.
Voice Entertainment spoke to the man at the centre of the storm, who readily confirmed the allegations.
“I am in constant communication with Annafiki and Tapsen regarding their payments,” Sekgwa said.
When questioned on the other artists’ payments, he revealed there were ‘certain issues’ hindering him from paying the debts – issues he said he could not disclose just yet.
“When I have gathered all my facts, I will liaise with you to explain these.”
The artists, who feel Sekgwa used them for his own benefit, have since reported the matter to the Small Claims Court.