The Sunday Mail
AAG books return ticket for Pretty
The Let’s Help Pretty Xaba Campaign got off to an inauspicious start last Tuesday as the benefit concert held at Book Cafe failed to raise more than US$1 000.
Despite the overwhelming response to the show – donations and gate-takings only amounted to US$712, a drop in the ocean considering that Xaba requires a staggering US$15 000 to undergo a complicated surgical procedure in India.
The Affirmative Action Group (AAG) then chipped in with a return ticket for the former Studio 263 actress. AAG president Chamu Chiwanza also pledged US$500 of personal funds, but the fund-raising team had not confirmed receipt of the funds by the time of going to print.
Last week, reports from Xaba’s relatives were that her condition was deteriorating and therefore if funds are not raised fast enough, she might have to go for locally available treatments. In an interview with this publication a fortnight ago, Xaba said local doctors had advised her to seek treatment in India as the locally available options are too risky to undertake.
“Local doctors say the operation can be done locally but is very risky as the growth in is proximity with major sensitive organs and arteries,” said Xaba.
She also said the doctors had told her that radiotherapy, for instance, could puncture her heart while other treatments could result in ruptured blood vessels. While funds raised at the benefit concert may not be enough, Zimbabwean artistes showed a rare sense of unity last Tuesday as they came out in their numbers to support Xaba.
Baba naMai Charamba, Suluman Chimbetu, Jah Prayzah, Progress Chipfumo, Bob Nyabinde, Edith and Fatima Katiji, Mzimba, Pauline Gundidza, Prince Musarurwa, Q the Boss, Hope Masike, Long John, Michael Kudakwashe, Albert Nyathi, Doc Vikela, Sipilisiwe Kaikeni, Eunice Tava, Edgar Langeveldt, Mbizvo Chirasha and Pah Chihera, are just a few of the artistes who attended the show. The Book Cafe donated their venue and PA System for the campaign.
. . . Corporate sponsors pledge support
VARIOUS corporate organisations have pledged support for Pretty Xaba who needs to undergo urgent surgery in India.
The former Studio 263 actress has cancer of the oesophagus.
In separate interviews last week, music promoters and players in the corporate world indicated that they were willing to assist. They, however, were not in a position to disclose figures as the matter was still under discussion by the time of going to print.
Some companies said they had not received official communication from the campaign team, but were prepared to chip in.
According to Taonga Mafundikwa, leader of the “Let’s Help Pretty Xaba Campaign”, close to US$15 000 is required for the artiste to travel to India for treatment.
Of the figure, US$9 800 will cater for the therapeutic bill, while the difference will cover airfare, food and other incidental costs that will arise during her stay in the Asian country.
By Thursday last week, Xaba’s condition was reported to have deteriorated. Doctors urged that she gets help as soon as possible.
Xaba has done voice-overs and radio adverts for a sizeable number of companies in Zimbabwe.
Below is what some of the approached companies and organisations had to say.
Econet Zimbabwe
“We received a request from the arts industry and we are currently doing a review of it. Our budget is a bit constrained at the moment but we will definitely do something once our bosses approve.” – Robert Muganda, Econet Marketing Department.
Chipaz Promotions
“I can guarantee you that I’m going to assist as one of the promoters in this country.
“I was approached by the campaign team and I’m currently looking at how much I can help out with.” – Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza, one of the country’s arts promoters.
PSI Zimbabwe
“We received a letter from Taonga Mafundikwa and we are going to discuss the issue with the director of the organisation and come up with a position. We will always assist whenever we can,” – PSI Zimbabwe Information officer, Paida Magaya.
British Council
The council indicated that it was in a position to assist but could only do so after receiving formal communication from the Let’s Help Pretty Xaba Campaign team.
Cancer Association of Zimababwe
An official from the organisation said they were going to find ways to assist Xaba.
“We have had a staff meeting with our manager over the issue. We are not ourselves financially sound but we will find possible ways to help,” said an official from the charity organisation that is mostly funded by donors.
Challenge to beer festivals
Local industry and commerce has been challenged to support local artistes.
Speaking at the Let’s Help Pretty Xaba fund-raising benefit show held at the Book Café on Tuesday, Chamu Chiwanza, the president of the Affirmative Action Group (AAG) who was guest of honour at the event, implored local businesses to promote and fairly remunerate local artistes.
“We have plenty of local talented artistes, most of them who are recognised and more appreciated outside our borders. Why should we have a foreign artiste coming to perform here when we have plenty of talented musicians?” asked the businessman.
His comments come in the wake of beer festivals headlined by international artistes such as Sean Paul, Akon, D’Banj, the Nigerian set of twins P-Square and Beenie Man, among many others. In contrast, a three-day beer festival slated for the end of October has announced that it will be settling for local artistes, with dancehall, the genre of the moment, taking centre stage on Friday October 24 where the top performers in the genre will battle it out.
Chiwanza also took the chance to ask local corporates to be humane when dealing with local artistes, especially when it comes to remuneration.
“You find that Pretty Xaba has been the voice and face of many advertising campaigns and yet today we are gathered to raise about $15 000. Where are the companies that she worked with when she was feeling right? Isn’t this the time to be socially responsible? And did they pay her handsomely back then? Those are some of the issues that artistes should take up with the relevant bodies as you engage local businesses when they want your talent.”
For their part, the affirmative group donated the actress’s return air ticket to India where she is set to undergo surgery to remove the cancerous tumour in her oesophagus . On his own behalf, Chiwanza pledged $500 towards the fund-raising campaign.
Background Story: Let’s Help Pretty Xaba Campaign
Those who want to assist can deposit into Pretty Xaba’s account,Standard Chartered , Highlands Branch, Account Number 8700216902900.
