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DJ Sbu addresses guests at a Shift Zimbabwe seminar held at Harare hotel

Melissa Mpofu (in Harare) and Bongani Ndlovu (in Bulawayo)
SOUTH Africa’s DJ Sbu who was meant to launch his Mo Faya energy drink at Choppies Supermarket in Bulawayo yesterday afternoon, failed to pitch up amid revelations that his Zimbabwean host Chamu Chiwanza failed to charter a plane for him from Harare to Bulawayo in the morning.

DJ Sbu, who arrived in the country on Friday, however attended Shift Zimbabwe seminar held at Meikles Hotel and the launch of the drink at Pabloz Club.

Shift Zimbabwe founder Chiwanza, yesterday said: “Regrettably we’ve cancelled the Bulawayo gig because we couldn’t charter a flight to the City of Kings for DJ Sbu and his entourage. We finished late (yesterday 4AM) in Harare.”

He said DJ Sbu will have to travel to Zimbabwe at a later date to launch the drink in Bulawayo where he commands a huge following.

Also DJ Sbu posted on his Instagram profile: Attention Bulawayo! We’ve been at the airport for hours and due to logistical issues we failed to charter a flight. We’ve postponed our Bulawayo trip to a time to be announced soon. But don’t despair the next will make it bigger and better. Apologies for the inconvenience.”

But, moles privy to the cancellation claim that the trip had become too expensive for the hosts which forced them to cancel the Bulawayo programme.

Bulawayo promoters who had hoped to cash in on DJ Sbu’s visit to the city and fans alike were dealt a major blow, considering that DJ Sbu last performed in the city more than five years ago.

DJ Sbu was supposed to hold a meet and greet at Hartsfield Tshisa Nyama with organisers 3D Events in the dark that he was no longer coming.

“I’m shocked that I’m hearing this from you. We were given the green light to market the show on Friday and we did. We were dealing with Babongile Sikhonjwa and a person called Fide,” said Mduduzi Mdlongwa of 3D Events.

In Harare however, less than 100 guests, attended the Mo Faya launch at the plush Pabloz VIP Club at the Sam Levy village where the drink was sold for a dollar despite the fact that DJ Sbu attracted a full house at the Shift Zimbabwe seminar.

As if that was not enough, DJ Sbu had also made a surprise appearance at another poorly marketed event to celebrate Enrico Sibanda’s birthday and Maverick book launch at the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale. Less than 50 people attended the event where DJ Sbu was holed up for more than an hour.

But this did not stop the Mo Faya Boss from partying as he took to the Pabloz decks at about 1AM yesterday and spent close to three hours pumping house beats. Starting with latest tunes, DJ Sbu ended his set with old school greats like Mafikizolo’s Ndihamba Nawe and the late Brown Dash and Mzekezeke’s Phansi Komthunzi Welanga among others. The cheerful DJ who never at any point, shunned fans who wanted to talk to him or have pictures taken led revellers in dance on Ndihamba Nawe.

Some however blamed DJ Sbu’s host, Chiwanza for not marketing the launch party.

DJ Sbu was in the country at the invitation of Chiwanza to inspire and motivate youths to be entrepreneurs like him.

He shared his story as well as challenges he had faced in setting up businesses, while encouraging youths to live within their means and desist from being in debt.

“I understood that I was in debt yet I drove three flashy cars, yet I’m one person and need one car which is not even flashy. I decided to downgrade and now, I drive a company car.

“People need to downgrade and be less extravagant in order to be profitable,” Sbu said.