Gospel music fans were left disappointed after Corona Space, a local events management group, cancelled its much awaited ‘Taste of Heaven’ concert at the last minute. Fans were already inside the Kigali Convention Centre ( KCC) auditorium – some having arrived as early as 6p.m – when Aimable Twizeyimana, from Corona Space, arrived at almost 9p.m, to say the concert been cancelled due to lack of a stage and poor organisation “Corona Space management had employed certain stage organisers only to find out late that they could not come up with a stage that suits Convention Centre standards. We then looked for Mosound but they could not come because it was on a short notice,” he said. The organisers claimed they had invited five choirs, including Chorale de Kigali, Rehoboth Ministries, Alarm Ministries, Healing Worship Team, True Promises, but only three of these turned up (Chorale de Kigali, Healing Worship Team and Tue Promises). Gospel artiste Israel Mbonyi was also among those already at the venue. However, Bonnk Mbonigaba and Innocent Muhoza, the leaders of True Promises and Healing Worship Team, respectively, told The New Times that Corona Space had agreed to give each choir about Rwf350,000 to perform a week before the event, a commitment they failed to meet And this is the very reason why other choirs chose not to show up, they said. They both lamented the time wasted preparing for the concert and offered profuse apologies to the fans saying it was not their fault. Asked about the way forward, Twizeyimana said that Corona Space was considering two options; to reorganise the concert and the other paying the choirs all the money as earlier agreed upon. He also told The New Times that the company was going to compensate all the fans who had paid money to attend the show. “I closed my shop to come here for this show only to find that there was nothing going on. I mostly regret my time that I have spent here. Event organisers should learn to work professionally,” said Maurice Nzayikunda, a fan. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
