When Eastern Cape-based artists get bookings in Johannesburg, they see this opportunity as a once-in a lifetime opportunity to showcase their talent. But the same cannot be said about their counterparts from Johannesburg in Gauteng when they get Eastern Cape gigs.

PROVINCE CONSIDERING BANNING GAUTENG ARTISTS

The high-flying Johannesburg-based artists could find themselves not performing in the Eastern Cape if a decision is taken not to book them for gigs in the province. According to the Eastern Cape events forum spokesperson, Nkokheli Twabu, the province is considering banning booking Jozi artists for Eastern Cape bookings. "Firstly, I would like to categorically state that we have not reached a consensus to ban Jozi artists from performing in Eastern Cape yet," he said.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Last weekend, DJ Maphorisa couldn't get to his booked shows in the Eastern Cape due to a delay in his flight. He was booked to perform at an event at SoWhat Lounge and Vegas Bar and Eatery in East London. Popular muso Yung Stunna grabbed headlines when he allegedly behaved like a prima donna at a gig he was booked at in Mount Frere two years ago. This, Twaba points out, as one of the reasons for the possible ban. "We are hugely disappointed by how some of them have a tendency of disrespecting and undermining our venues and events in the Eastern Cape and this has caused so many events and venues to close down due to financial loses, also due their reputation being tainted," he explained. He said that as a result of the poor conduct of Jozi- based artists, they suffer financial losses. " As a result of some of them not attending gigs or not or not even honouring their bookings, the province suffers," said Twaba.