. . . Chipaz Admits Flaws After Winky D Fans Complain
By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE — When the curtain fell on Winky D’s much-anticipated Tete-A-Tete Concert Season 2 at Alex Sports Club on Saturday, many fans left with mixed feelings.
While the Gafa and his Vigilance Band delivered a powerhouse performance, a growing number of concertgoers say their experience was marred by poor sound quality, a lack of toilets, and exorbitantly priced hot beer.
“Good show, but service was trash,” one disgruntled fan wrote in a complaint to a local WhatsApp crime watch platform, summing up the sentiments of many who attended the Chipaz Promotions-organised event.
The grievances raised by fans paint a picture of an event where basic amenities were inadequate for the thousands who turned out to see the dancehall king.
Sound Quality: The primary complaint centred on the sound system, with fans noting that speakers were only placed at the stage, leaving those at the back struggling to hear.
“Speakers were only at the stage in a very big ground. Only those close to the stage had proper sound. I am not sure if there was need for volume increase or for more speakers to cater for the audience at the back,” read one complaint.
Toilet Facilities: Despite the event not being sold out, fans complained of unbearably long queues at the few available toilets, forcing some, including women, to urinate in open spaces.
“Tickets at this event were not sold out, so clearly he knew the number of people he was expecting at the show, but only a few toilets were available. People, even ladies, ended up urinating in open space because of the unbearably long queues,” the fan reported.
Overpriced Hot Beer: Perhaps the most scathing criticism was reserved for the beverage pricing. With no outside alcohol allowed, fans were forced to pay a corkage fee or purchase drinks at what they described as exorbitant prices.
“Having paid $20 ticket, beer was not allowed in, so you either had to pay an exorbitant corkage fee or to buy a pack of ice at $5.
“Hot beers for $20 a six pack. A bottle of Strettons or Two Keys for $40. Didn’t even have anything else. No proper whisky was up for sale,” the complaint read.
The fan concluded: “Chipaz yes arikutora mari but he is offering trash service to his clients. You can’t pay $20 to not get good sound, no toilet, and highly overpriced hot beer.”
In a detailed response to the complaints, the Chipaz Promotions team acknowledged the concerns raised and committed to reviewing their operations.
“Feedback from our patrons is important to us because it provides valuable insight into the overall event experience and helps us identify areas that require improvement,” the company said.
The promoter noted that they had taken “careful note of the concerns raised regarding beverage pricing, the limited selection of products available, the condition and temperature in which some beverages were served, the additional charge for ice, and the need for greater transparency around beverage options and pricing ahead of the event.”
Chipaz Promotions also said they would consider the suggestion regarding allowing cooler boxes and publishing beverage products and prices in advance.
“The matters you have raised will be discussed with the relevant partners and service providers responsible for beverage supply and management,” the response read.Chipaz Promotions
However, the promoter defended the operational realities of large-scale events: “While the provision of refreshments at large-scale events involves a number of operational, logistical and commercial considerations, we recognise that these must ultimately be balanced against our responsibility to provide patrons with an experience that is fair, transparent, convenient and enjoyable.”
The complaints raised by fans are not new in Zimbabwe’s live entertainment scene. Event organisers have previously been criticised for prioritising revenue over patron experience, particularly when it comes to sound quality and amenities.
The “no outside alcohol” policy, while standard at many events, remains a source of frustration for fans who often find themselves paying inflated prices for limited beverage options.
Chipaz Promotions concluded their response by thanking the fan for their feedback and affirming their commitment to improving the patron experience.
“Our events are made possible by the people who attend and support them, and we therefore take concerns about the patron experience seriously. Where there are opportunities to improve our processes, communication and service delivery, we are committed to engaging the relevant stakeholders and learning from the feedback received.”
For the fans who paid their hard-earned money expecting a world-class experience, the question remains: will Chipaz Promotions deliver on its promise to do better next time?
#TeteATeteConcert #WinkyD #ChipazPromotions #FanComplaints #LiveMusic #Zimbabwe
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