Luciano sobs as UK denies transit visas to band members

Luciano sobs as UK denies transit visas to band members

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By Lebo Nkatazo

JAMAICAN reggae star Luciano sobbed at the news that Britain had denied his band members transit visas to travel to Zimbabwe where he performs at the Jacaranda Jazz Festival on Saturday.

Zimbabwe’s state media said Britain had “vindictively” denied the singer’s band members visas as punishment for his endorsement of President Robert Mugabe’s land seizures at a press conference on Tuesday.

Luciano is a guest of the Zimbabwe government. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), a government agency in charge of marketing Zimbabwe as a tourist destination, wants to use music concerts featuring international artists to sell the country to foreign visitors.

The ZTA is said to have plans to bring American superstar Beyonce and RnB crooner, John Legend, to Zimbabwe soon.

Luciano’s 10 band members were expected in Zimbabwe on Thursday from Jamaica, but UK immigration authorities granted transit visas to some and denied others, according to ZTA chief executive officer, Karikoga Kaseke.

Kaseke said the British authorities were “miffed by Luciano’s stance on Zimbabwe’s land reforms and were trying to sabotage his performance by preventing his band members from joining him”, according to the state-run Herald newspaper.

Local reggae outfit, Transit, is now expected to back Luciano during Saturday’s show at the City Sports Centre.

Luciano, wiping off tears, told reporters: “Our duty is to send the message and the show will go ahead as planned. Like I said earlier this week, we have a special message for the country and we are calling upon our sisters and brothers to come and hear what the ‘Messengers’ have in store for them. I am here on a ministerial mission and I hope my message will be heard loud and clear.

"In short, I am promising a show that will send Zimbabweans talking and they should also expect popular songs and a few that I have composed for this special visit.”

The star has composed a song – Zimbabwe Stand Strong – which he said he would be singing at the concert.

Andy Brown, Tongai Moyo, Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave, Trevor Hall’s Crucial Mix and Cephas Mashakada will be the supporting acts.
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