JAMAICAN dancehall superstar Sean Paul and Senegal-born R&B sensation Akon are set to share the stage in Harare early next month in one of the biggest international concerts to be held in the country.
The show – set for the National Sports Stadium on September 4 - is being promoted by a group of Zimbabwean businessmen and the state tourism agency, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA).
Akon, who is based in the United States, rose to prominence in 2004 and has since become one of the World’s most successful and versatile R&B artists while Sean Paul equally dominates dancehall music.
A representative of the businessmen, Tendai Mufurutsa, said the gig was part of efforts to market the country as a safe destination.
"We want the world to know that there is Zimbabwe. Akon will mention us wherever he goes after this. Sean Paul will do the same. Zimbabwe is a beautiful country. This is our World Cup, where we try to attract positive global attention," Tendai Mufurutsa said.
The ZTA, which has been involved in efforts to revive the country’s tourism industry after a decade-long decline confirmed the concert was on.
Said ZTA communications Manager Sugar Chagonda: "Our involvement in the whole business is to market Zimbabwe's tourist destinations. The artists will visit all our major tourist attractions as guests. They will later tell the world what they would have seen in Zimbabwe."
The agency launched a state-funded projected dubbed ‘Host-A-Celebrity’ two years ago to help market the Zimbabwe’s tourist attraction.
The programme has seen international stars Joe Thomas and reggae artist Sizzla Kalonji performing in the country.
Critics however dismiss the project as a waste of resources.
Again, it remains to be seen whether Akon and Sean Paul will emulate Kalonji and settle in the country.
Kalonji decided to relocate to Zimbabwe after reportedly being given a farm by President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party.
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