Zimpapers Logo

Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
THE hosting of this year’s Harare International Carnival (HIC) hangs in the balance because the government which pledged its commitment to bankroll the fete, has not paid anything to the organisers despite the fact that the carnival is only five months away.The carnival is expected to run from September 12 to 19.

According to organisers, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), they need $500,000 but government which initially pledged $300,000 has reduced the figure to just $100,000 but is yet to release the money.

ZTA chief executive Karikoga Kaseke said their other events such as the Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo had also been affected by lack of funding and were also hanging in the balance.

“The carnival is hanging in the balance as government which committed to bankroll the event hasn’t given us any money. It’s now April and Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo is supposed to be next month but we’re yet to get funding for the event.

“We understand that they’re struggling to pay their workers, so this is the state of affairs,” said Kaseke.

He said more than 20 countries had confirmed their participation at this year’s carnival.

“So far all the countries that participated at last year’s carnival have confirmed their participation. We’ve Japan, Indonesia, Morocco, China and Swaziland among the new countries that will be part of the carnival,” said Kaseke.

He said HIC which was in its infancy, was facing a number of teething problems and can therefore not be compared with established carnivals such as the Rio Carnival in Brazil.

“It’s naïve for anyone to compare us with the Rio Carnival which was established in the 19th Century. We’re however not going to take 100 years to make a profit but just eight years,” he said.

The ZTA boss believes the carnival has the potential to grow to match the Rio one.

“The target is to generate about $300 million annually from the carnival. Brazil generates $3,2 billion revenue from carnivals in that country alone so carnivals have the potential to make money,” he said.

Kaseke said it was important to ensure the carnival is held every year.

He said after two years of hosting the carnival, ZTA had accrued a debt of $900,000.

“Our debt is for accommodation, food and transport fees for our guests from other countries. This is because when such carnivals happen in their countries, they foot all our accommodation, food and transport costs during our stay there,” he said.

Kaseke however said they do not pay international participants to perform at the carnival but only local groups are paid.

“Last week I attended the Zambian carnival in Livingstone. Sandra Ndebele was there representing Zimbabwean culture and was paid by government but the rest of her expenses such as transport, accommodation and food were provided by the Zambian government,” he said.