Debate has ensued on authorities’ balancing of prioritisation of foreign exchange allocations amid scarcity and making the same available for paying foreign artists to perform in the country.
The debate is rife on social media platforms following the invitations of Congolese soukous star Awilo Longomba and Nigerian superstar Wizkid to perform at Tay Grin’s Echoes of Greatness Concert at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe this Saturday.
Event promoter and artist manager Emmanuel Maliro took to the social media where he expressed his reservations on the hiring of foreign artists being prioritised in forex allocation over social amenities such as hospital drugs.
He said: “Businesses are closing down because they cannot import anything. The US dollar has become too expensive for the ordinary person. And yet, somehow, I hear Awilo Longomba is coming to perform in Malawi.
“I did not realise that concerts were such a high priority for forex allocation when patients cannot access treatment and families are suffering.”
Another Facebook user, identified as Wavisanga wa Kampioni agreed with Maliro, wondering where event organisers are able to invite foreign artists every week.
“It is not just Awilo, but every week
we have been having two or three international artists. Where is this forex coming from? I listened to Yo Maps, Zambian musician, interview as he emphasised his business model and that payments have to be made in US dollars,” he said.
But another event promoter, Priscilla Mhango Adiele said players in the creative industry are also facing the same challenge as there are no special allocations from banks to access forex.
She said: “I feel your frustration, but as someone in the entertainment industry, I want you to know that we are facing the same challenges. We also have to source it from the black market just like other importers of goods and services.”
The debate was further fanned by the emergence of a letter allegedly from the State Residences issuing instructions for the facilitation order of $300 000 purportedly for Tay Grin’s concert
However, presidential press secretary Anthony Kasunda in an interview on Tuesday dismissed the letter as fake, saying: “Even the position of director of finance and administration [mentioned in the communication] does not exist at the State House. It is a complete fake document which does not even have signatures.”
Tay Grin said in a statement that he was able to access forex to hire foreign artists through his international partnerships built over time and through his role as Malawi’s Tourism and Cultural Ambassador.
The artist said the partnerships, together with support from the government and other key players have created avenues for him to secure the necessary resources for his upcoming concert.
Reads the statement in part: “What matters most is that, as a country, we are now hosting global superstars, elevating our industry and proving that Malawi is ready for the world.”
Tay Grin said the concert is being positioned as a cultural milestone for the country and a testament to how Malawian talent can now command global presence.
Over the same weekend, South African artist Master KG will also be performing in Blantyre at the Blantyre Summer Party.
Other artists who of late performed in Malawi include Nkosazana Daughter, NaaqMuzik, Eemoh, Abel Chungu, Young Stunna and Scotts Maphuma
