Women’s Day Promoter In Question

A concert promoter in South Africa is accused of shorting a music instrument and technical supplier more than R200,000 ($25,000) for a recent concert in Johannesburg.

The Women’s Day concert at the Coca-Cola Dome was to feature R&B stars Kenny Lattimore, Anthony Hamilton and Johnny Gill, according to the Johannesburg Star. Gill did not make the event, reportedly citing flight troubles but some speculate his deposits weren’t paid.

Rafael Madeira of instrument supplier SA Backline says he is owed R165,000 ($20,000) for instruments and equipment provided for the show. He told the Star he has a longstanding relationship with the promoter, Morris Rhoda, but has had enough.

“He is a tealeaf. He has owed me money for the past two to three years. I considered him to be a good guy,” Madeira told the Star. “He always manages to bounce back from failure, but he has learned nothing from his mistakes.” Madeira is pushing for the liquidation of Rhoda’s business in Johannesburg’s High Court to get his money back, the paper said.

He was supposed to meet with Gill about instruments, but the artist never showed up despite the promoter’s promises.

Also claiming to be owed R65,000 ($8,100) is Mark de Klerk of Sound Corporation, who says Rhoda came to him asking for a deposit for the Coca-Cola Dome and promising he would contract de Klerk for the concert’s lighting and sound. Once the deposit was made, de Klerk says Rhoda stopped returning his calls and went with rival supplier Gearhouse.

“He came to my office and we did the riders together,” de Klerk told the Star. “I would not give money for another technical company to get the job. I did it thinking I would get the money. But I am not going to run after him. He will have his day.”
He says the contract he was supposed to get would have amounted to about R650,000 ($80,000).

Rhoda has made news for past mishaps including a Lauryn Hill show in Johannesburg that didn’t begin until 3 a.m., a Keith Sweat performance for which the artist said he was not paid and an aborted Boyz II Men concert to be co-organized with Zindzi Mandela.

“It is because of people like him that the music industry has become a money-upfront industry,” Madeira said.