Toni Braxton’s Zim itinerary creates storm

By Sharon Muguwu

HARARE – Bernie Bismarck, the local promoter of the Toni Braxton – Babyface concert set for the Borrowdale Race Course on Friday night, has no say in the artiste’s itinerary in Zimbabwe, according to sources.

Bismark’s BD Promotions is co-organising the multiple Grammy award-winning duo’s concert with Canoc Live from South Africa.

The sources told the Daily News that the tours of Chitungwiza and Victoria Falls announced by BD Promotions on the eve of Braxton’s arrival in Harare were unlikely to go ahead at the insistence of Canoc Live.

“She is not amused as the South Africans have taken over everything. Since she came here, Toni has been holed up in her room, and the Chitungwiza trip was even cancelled.

“I am positive that the Victoria Falls scheduled for today (Wednesday) will not take place, which is sad as she will not get to experience one of the world’s wonders.

“Trouble started when Toni stepped off the plane. She was quickly whisked away and did not even get the chance to see the traditional dancers who were there to welcome her,” one source said.

The well-placed source, who declined to be identified, added that Bismark has been left on the verge of tears by the manner Canoc Live is handling Braxton’s itinerary .

“All the promoter’s efforts on that day (Braxton’s arrival day) were in vain. The bouncers were also overzealous; they were roughly shoving people away and even hit and dropped a media house camera.

“On the Vic Falls trip they were saying she should not have publicised it as a matter of security. Honestly her hands are tied and she has lost control over the whole matter.

“I also understand her concerns for trying to keep it out of the press as she needs to maintain business with the SA guys, but they are being unfair on her.

“All the things she had planned are not happening and the whole thing is being remote-controlled from SA,” he said.

But Bismark shot down claims that Canoc Live was stopping her from making decisions on Braxton’s itinerary.

“I don’t want to be associated with anything negative. I can neither confirm nor deny the Vic Falls trip as it is a matter of security.

“I don’t want the press to make this a negative story; don’t quote me on anything negative. The show will definitely take place. As for the press conference we have decided to move it to tomorrow (today) as Babyface will be here,” she said. Daily News