Ammara’s moment of truth delayed

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Whether songstress Ammara Brown would have succeeded in filling the gigantic Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on Saturday during the Ammartia Ignite gig, she was set to headline remains a mystery to be solved on November 30.

Whether songstress Ammara Brown would have succeeded in filling the gigantic Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on Saturday during the Ammartia Ignite gig, she was set to headline remains a mystery to be solved on November 30.

By Kennedy Nyavaya

Brown, along with the show organising team, has bowed to the cholera outbreak ban effected by government on public gatherings, resulting in the rescheduling of the show. The event was supposed to be a precursor to the musician’s Sadc tour now set to start in Malawi on October 26.

“We would like to inform all Ammara fans that due to the critical cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, Ammara Brown is postponing the Harare leg of her Ammartia Ignite Sadc Tour,” read a statement her team released on Friday.

In the announcement, the Akilliz singer was quoted saying the health of her followers had superceded the wish to hold the historic event.

“Ammartia, I know how much you were looking forward to this, but your health and safety have to come first for me. True love is selfless and I do love you,” she said.

However, the cholera outbreak could have saved Ammara’s team massive disappointment as prospects that the gig would have attracted a significant crowd this weekend were already dim owing to a number of factors that include higher-than-usual pricing and an average artiste line-up.

The prices were pegged at $25 for general tickets and $75 for VIP access at a time many people have been forced to cut down on spending as the local economic situation worsens.

Added to it, the co-headliner, Mr Eazi, from Nigeria, is not at the top of his game currently and banking on his local followership would have been a gamble.

This was also coupled with the crippling fact that the Shoko Festival would have hosted their Mash Up Nights event adjacent to the HICC for a relatively cheaper entrance fee.

Meanwhile, the new venue for the show is not yet certain, but organisers reiterated that will still take place as initially planned with Mr Eazi, ExQ and Tammy sharing the stage with Ammara.

“Everything else will go on as planned because we have engaged all artistes and they have confirmed the new date although we are still to get a venue, but there are plenty of options as well,” said the concert coordinator, Chido Musasiwa, adding that new tickets were on sale.

“We are also reimbursing those who want their money back since some companies had bought tickets for their employees, but those who still want to come to the rescheduled show should keep their tickets because they will still be valid then.”