SIMBARASHE MTEMBO
MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO – I was disappointed after attending the 2022 Masvingo Achievers Awards (MAA). The 2023 edition was just worse and I am glad I did not attend.
Award winners, attendees and performing artists have described the Donnovan Takaendesa organised awards as a joke.
Winners received certificates only and all categories are voted for online. Most of the winners are people with better internet access and not necessarily the best.
Festival of Arts Joint Orientation (FAJO) promoter Lloyd Simango told The Mirror that his three member music group was made to fork out US$68 for a performance.
“The Fajo members travelled from Chiredzi to perform at the awards. Organisers promised us accommodation and ended up telling us to pay US$60 for that. They also demanded that FAJO members pay US$7 entrance fee per person. We did not perform. The organisers did not bother explaining to us. We found alternative accommodation and did not pay the US$60.
“We wasted money travelling all the way to Masvingo. The awards should serve everyone and not a selected few from Masvingo district. The awards should improve,” he fumed.
Performing artists were promised transport and food and ended forking out their own money. VIP tickets came with food and refreshments and holders had to scrounge for chairs.
The 2022 edition was highjacked and turned into a Zanu PF show by Minister of State Ezra Chadzamira, former deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development Clemence Chiduwa, party provincial chairperson Rabson Mavhenyengwa and former deputy mayor Wellington Mahwende.
Donovan referred questions to his information manager Luckson Mutsambiwa who told The Mirror that performing artists are volunteering.
“We are getting most services as performing artists and venues for free. I am also a volunteer. There is need for an engagement with the business community to support the initiative.
“There are grey areas that need improving and we are working on that. Some nominees were buying votes online and the awards were mostly centered on artists in Masvingo district,” he said.
A performing artist who spoke to The Mirror on condition of anonymity for fear of victimization said they were promised transport money and food and didn’t receive anything.
“We were promised transport money and food but ended up forking our own money to buy food. Organisers raised money from ticket sales. Some businesspeople