The Tanzanian Government through the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Dr. Harrison Mwakyembe has made a special request to WCB boss Diamond Platnumz, ahead of a Mega festival that will be held in Dar es Salaam.
Addressing the press, Dr. Mwakyembe disclosed that that he had requested Diamond Platnumz to cancel his upcoming Wasafi festival show in Iringa, and make time for East African Community’s (Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki Utamaduni Festival) JAMAFEST.
The Minister said that this is the right time for the singer to show patriotism, adding that when the event was held in Uganda, all their top artistes attended the event to show support.
“Nimempigia simu kijana wetu nyota wa muziki barani Afrika na pia ulimwenguni ukipenda, Diamond kwamba sasa huu ndio muda wa kuonesha utaifa, hebu njoo ujiunge na sisi. Na atakuwa na ziara siku hiyo mkoani Iringa, Nimemwambia avunje ziara hiyo kwa utaifa, Nafikiri atafanya hivyo. Kwa sababu tulipokuwa Uganda wasanii wote wakubwa nchini humo walihudhuria kwenye tamasha,” said Minister Mwakyembe.
Diamond’s Wasafi Festival is set to take place on September 21 in Iringa and will have WCB signed artistes alongside other top artistes in Tanzanian entertaining Iringa residents.
This will be the fourth edition of JAMAFEST and the first time Tanzania plays host nation. The event will take place for 8 days in Tanzania’s National Stadium and all East African countries will participate.
JAMAFEST seeks to promote regional socio-cultural integration through arts and culture. It was started after the EAC council of ministers in September 2011 directed the EAC Secretariat to organize regular festivals.