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Brenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
R’n’B sensation Audius Mtawarira says he is disappointed after Harare International Festival of Arts organisers turned down his application to perform at the festival.
Speaking to The Herald Entertainment, the soft spoken singer said since applying for a slot last year in October, he had constantly checked with the organisers only to be told this week that his music does not relate to the Hifa programme.

“I made a good effort this time by providing my application ahead of their deadlines. I’m failing to understand the criteria behind Hifa’s refusal of my application,” he said.

Mtawarira added that he was saddened by the rejection he continues to face in his country. He said while the treatment is different in other countries like his former base in Australia, acceptance in his country mattered to him more.

“I worked very hard to establish myself as a prominent artist in Zimbabwe. I provide my music in both Shona and English and believe I am versatile enough to fit into their schedule. I don’t believe my exclusion from this year’s HIFA is anything personal but I am disappointed that I am neither international nor local enough for their consideration,” he said

The Herald Entertainment is in possession of the rejection letter from Hifa. The letter did not specify the exact reasons for the decline.  “Thank you for your interest in HIFA 2014. We are sorry that your application for 2014 has not been successful. The reasons are either your application was incomplete or late or the selection committee felt the quality of the work you proposed did not meet our expected criteria for 2014,” read part of the letter from artistic director Manuel Bagorro.