Tongai Moyo fumes over 'benefit' concerts

Tongai Moyo fumes over 'benefit' concerts

FULL OF LIFE: Tongai Moyo with Big Brother's Makosi Musambasi during a tour of the UK late December

• Mtukudzi: 'I've been dead 5 times'

• Tongai Moyo dismisses rumours of his death

• Tongai Moyo, Freddie Gwala UK tour off

• Tongai Moyo in yet another car crash

• Zimra goes to war over musicians' royalties

By Torby Chimhashu

TONGAI Moyo is furious with music promoters and other artists who have staged “benefit shows” for him after he was diagnosed with cancer, accusing them of “trying to make money using my illness”.

The singer said several artists, including rival Alick Macheso, had billed their shows as "Tongai Moyo Benefit Shows" and yet he did not benefit anything.

He said the impression was that they were contributing to his battle against cancer, yet he has been footing his own medical bills.

Moyo said he was not bankrupt, and neither was he a charity case as he was able to foot his medical bills and provide for his band at the same time.

He blasted: “I am not happy with some sections of the media, some promoters, and top musicians who have indicated that they were planning to hold benefit shows for me yet they are after making money out of my illness.

“I am holding my own shows and meeting all the expenses for shows and medical bills, so people should stop abusing my name for their good ends.

“I also pay the artistes who support me but they get mileage saying they were helping me yet I am the one contributing to their well-being."

The Kwekwe-based singer -- recently awarded the National Arts Merit Award for song of the year, Wakanaka, off his latest album Pinda Panyanga -- said he had not reached a stage for begging yet.

He railed: “I have my insurance policies and I sustain myself from my other businesses. I do not rely on music alone.”

The musicians also revealed he had well-up friends who were ready to meet his medical costs should the need arise. For now, he said: “All I need from people are prayers and moral support, and not their money."

Moyo was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin Lymphoma, a form of cancer that starts in cells of the lymph system — which is part of the body’s immune system.
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
shapiro@newzimbabwe.com