BULAWAYO – Singer and model Black Diva has sparked a debate after ranting on social media, saying people from Bulawayo should stop embracing ‘washed up’ artists from South Africa who wouldn’t dare look their direction when they were topping the charts.
The South Africa-based musician said all this just days after female rapper Fifi Cooper collaborated with Maskandi singers Aphiwe and Sobancane. This is just weeks after Sandra Ndebele also released a song with old school music group Platform One.
Black Diva didn’t mince her words as she called out Bulawayo fans and musicians for not supporting local artists who are doing well but preferring South African artists who lost their shine ’10 years ago.’
“Bulawayo will rather celebrate an artist from South Africa owaphela/akapera 10 years ago than to celebrate their own who is doing well shame!!
“They (South African musicians) know that they are washed up, so they start coming to us for collaborations to gain more strength. When are we going to elevate Matabeleland?” said Black Diva.
Comedian Jaro joined the chat in support of Black Diva.
He said, “Sorry, guys, but I agree with Black Diva. When S.A artists are topping the charts and high flying, they hardly collaborate with Matabeleland artists, but our guys are always curtain-raisers on their shows in Bulawayo and get paid peanuts.
“Do you tell me that they don’t see the talent?”
However, female rapper, Awa Khiwe had a different story to tell as she says, she has been supported by South African artists when they were at their peak, and some even made sacrifices for her.
“I consider myself lucky. Sjava, Zakwe, and so many S.A. creatives have shared my work. I was trending on SA Twitter for days. I would be lying if I said I never received support from SA.
Actor Abdul Khoza shared his spotlight with me. He supported me for years. He travelled to Nkayi during a Shaka Ilembe shoot when he had a busy schedule to direct Rap Gandaganda. Just because he believed in me.
“I don’t know who the washed-up artists many seem to be tiptoeing around. But I would be an ungrateful person if I did not correct that this has not been my experience,” said Awa Khiwe.
