By Showbiz Reporter | Harare, Zimbabwe (December 6, 2024)—A major controversy is unfolding in Zimbabwe’s entertainment scene following reports that popular dancehall artist Winky D’s annual New Year’s Eve show at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) may be derailed by a church event linked to influential businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei. The development has sparked widespread anger, with fans accusing the Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) of succumbing to political pressure and favoritism.
Winky D—one of Zimbabwe’s most beloved musicians—booked the HICC as early as May 2024 for his December 31 concert. For years, the show has served as a cultural mainstay, attracting thousands of local and international attendees, boosting tourism, and providing crucial income for vendors, hoteliers, and support staff within the entertainment industry.
However, insiders now claim that RTG, which manages the HICC, is set to prioritize a late-booked church event spearheaded by Tagwirei, a controversial figure renowned for his immense wealth, political connections, and checkered reputation. Tagwirei is a prominent member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he serves as an elder, though critics say he leverages his financial clout to gain influence. His involvement in the last-minute scheduling at HICC is raising serious questions about whether faith-based events are being used as cover for personal and political agendas.
“RTG’s decision to push out Winky D, who has a signed contract and who booked the venue well in advance, is infuriating,” said a representative from the artist’s management team. “Our preparations are at an advanced stage, and we’ve all invested time, effort, and money to make this event a success. To be pushed aside at the eleventh hour for a less established booking shows a blatant disregard for fair business practice.”
Public sentiment has quickly soured. Online, fans have taken to social media, expressing outrage over what they see as yet another example of corruption and favoritism undermining Zimbabwe’s cultural life. “This is not just an attack on Winky D—it’s an attack on Zimbabwean culture,” wrote one fan on Twitter. “Corruption has reached even our stages.”
Critics argue that Tagwirei—who remains on the United States sanctions list for alleged corruption and human rights abuses—is using the church event as a public relations strategy to rehabilitate his image. Political analysts and industry insiders alike question the motives behind his sudden interest in hosting a spiritual gathering that conveniently displaces a popular, well-attended cultural fixture.
“The timing of this event is suspicious,” said political analyst Tawanda Chikowore. “Given Tagwirei’s controversial dealings, it’s hard not to see this as a calculated move to curry favor and project piety. Meanwhile, he dislodges an artist cherished by millions. This sets a dangerous precedent.”
The standoff at HICC has far-reaching implications. Winky D’s New Year’s Eve show is a boon to the local economy. Canceling or relocating the event at short notice would harm not just the artist, but also the small vendors, technical crews, hospitality workers, and local entrepreneurs who rely on the annual concert for vital income. “If this event is canceled, it’s not just Winky D who loses—it’s the entire ecosystem around it,” said a local promoter who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals.
As pressure mounts, industry leaders, fans, and cultural commentators have called on RTG to honor its initial agreement with Winky D. “We must defend our cultural spaces from powerful individuals who believe they can buy their way into anything,” said one veteran promoter. “If we allow this to happen, we encourage a system where wealth and connections outrank fairness and integrity.”
So far, the Rainbow Tourism Group has remained silent on the matter, but public frustration is boiling over. With the clock ticking down to December 31, the nation waits to see if RTG will restore faith in its commitment to Zimbabwe’s arts sector, or if the HICC will ring in the New Year under a cloud of suspicion and disappointment.