Luciano Jets in Zimbabwe
Jamaican reggae star Luciano, who finally arrived in the country yesterday afternoon, hailed President Mugabe’s leadership and urged Zimbabweans to unite against neo-colonialism.
Luciano, who was accompanied by his colleague Mikey General, is billed to perform at the Jacaranda Jazz Festival scheduled for Saturday at the City Sports Centre in Harare. In its second year, the festival, which is known as Pfumvudza in Shona, is a Zimbabwe Tourism Authority initiative to promote ecological and urban tourism.
The reggae star said it was the opportune time for Zimbabweans to unite against forces of neo-colonialism. “This is the right time for us (as Zimbabweans) to unite when the evil forces are really upon us. We really support President Mugabe’s land reform programme because the land was taken from us long back,” he said.
Luciano — who landed at the Harare International Airport to a rapturous welcome from ZTA officials, the local Rastafarian community and reggae fans — hailed both the Government and ZTA for making his maiden tour, which he referred to as “homecoming”, a reality.
“I am happy to be in Zimbabwe and as the Messenger of Jah, I feel I have brought the ministry here,” said the artiste, who was initially scheduled to perform in Zimbabwe two weeks ago but reportedly missed his flight. He paid tribute to slain South African reggae legend Lucky Dube, whom he described as a brother to the Rastafarian community.
“It is a great loss to the Rastafarian community and I would like to send my condolences to South Africa and his family,” Luciano said. Dube - who was gunned down in Johannesburg during a botched hijacking - was buried on Sunday in KwaZulu-Natal.
Asked if he would collaborate with local reggae artistes if approached, Luciano said:
“If the time permits, we can do collaborations and there is nothing to stop us from doing that.” ZTA chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke said Luciano had not come for the “Zimbabwe Smile” campaign as previously advertised, but for the Jacaranda Jazz Festival.
“Luciano is here and let me quickly point out that he is not here for the Zimbabwe Smile campaign, but for the Jacaranda Festival and was brought here by ZTA and not Shumba Instrumentation,” Mr Kaseke pointed out. But Nhamo Chitimbe of Shumba Instrumentation, the outfit that failed to bring Luciano two weeks ago, said in the final analysis it did not matter who had brought Luciano “home” because what mattered most was that he was in the country. Luciano, whose backing group is expected in the country either tomorrow or on Friday morning, will be supported by yet to be advised groups during the festival. Tickets for the show will be available at the ZTA offices beginning tomorrow.
College and university students will be charged $3 million for the show while the rest will have to pay $5 million.
VIP tickets have been pegged at $10 million.
Via The Herald
