by Yaya Mavundla
I have attended a few album launches in the past and that includes Zulu Boy, LIRA, Mi Casa and Zakes Bantwini to mention a few. All these spaces have always been packed to the full capacity with friends and family In support of the projects.
We arrived in Daveyton at Two Tones Lounge at about 18h00 straight from WITS Arts Museum and Nqobile Zungu coming from Sibonelo Muholi’s wedding in Southgate so excited about Shaz Jones and Major Jacobs (JacobJones) album launch for their debut album titled Nett/so and it was a total different case from what I have experienced in any album launch in the past.
At the door we met with Major who introduced us to the bouncers and gave us our passes to come in. Nqobile Zungu and I started arguing on who is buying the album because we both wanted to own it. We then agreed I get it.
I then joke with Major that I want mine to be autographed.
Shock of my life when I got inside the venue! I have never in my life, what an embarrassment. No representation from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community from Daveyton. I was sad, confused and very angry.
The ONLY people from the LGBTI community I spotted was Collen Mfazwe who arrived the same time as we did and left 30 min later. Vuvu Mtsweni, and Lesiba Mothibe.
Arriving 45 minutes before the launch finishes was Kgomotso Mashapa (Reigning Miss Valentine Daveyton) who made an excuse that she had an appointment.
Another let down with little success was Xoli Lewinski who was supposed to be the MC for the evening didn’t pitch and apparently sent a message to a friend that he had too much to drink and won’t be able to attend. Luckily there was someone who was on the standby to cover for him. What a disgrace! The level of unprofessionalism is shocking.
Beauty queens and drag queens such as Thabo Menu aka Miss T, Thabo Mathenjwa and Nathi Dlamini to mention a few were nowhere to be seen even though there is a song dedicated to them and these are the same people who will do anything to be featured on the music video that is scheduled to be shot soon.
In attendance there was also Shaz’s mother Mrs. Mthunzi and her uncle Sticks Jones who came to support their child launching her album. Even the 10 year old was from next door was in attendance to support great talent and a good neighbor of course.
The popular single Top 10 and Drag Queens which are featured on the album were definitely the audience’s favorite as they sang along these two songs and even asked for more.
Sadly the people who the music was dedicated to were not there to witness this.
I was so embarrassed that Shaz and Major are basically risking losing support from straight audience (which is majority) in support of the LGBTI people that doesn’t care nor support them.
Part two with comments from artists, families, management and people in attendance to follow.
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