MEGA-STARS Sean Paul and Akon put up what fans described as a world class performance at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Saturday in a show that was however, undermined by some organisational hiccups.
Scheduled to have started at 6:30 pm, the show only kicked off after 9pm as the thousands of people who had bought tickets struggled to access the giant stadium where only a few gates were available for entry.
Riot police had to be called-in to control the restive crowds who where still struggling to get into the stadium as late as 8pm.
Again, inside the stadium, the VIP areas whose tickets cost between US$50 and US$100 ended up being free for all as the organizers failed to ensure enough security was available to control access.
Fans were also outraged at what they described as extortionate prices for beverages.
However the artists did not disappoint when the show eventually got underway with the locals led by Winky D warming up the crowd for the headline acts.
Urban grooves stars Extra Large, Leonard Mapfumo, ExQ and Cindy also put in commendable performances.
Dancehall superstar Sean Paul took to the stage just before 11pm and wowed the crowd with his hit song ‘Hold My Hand’ accompanied by a live band and dancing girls clad in lingerie outfits.
The Jamaican star also delighted the crowd with a rendition of Bob Marley’s song Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile Akon dimissed has claims he missed a flight to the Victoria Falls that had been organized by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA).
The state tourism promotion body claimed it had arranged the trip with the US-based star prior to his arrival in the country with spokesman Sugar Chagonda insisitng everything had been put in place only for the star to fail to turn up.
However Akon’s management said the publicist said the trip – aimed at promoting the country’s tourism products – had not been discussed with him.
“Neither Akon nor his management team agreed to visit Victoria Falls on a commercial flight that morning,” his publicists said.
Ever blazing ... Sean Paul