Dismal turnout and artist no-shows: the flop that is the Thank You SABC Concert

Things have gone from bad to worse for organisers of the controversial Thank You SABC Concert after a dismal turnout and artists no-shows at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Mzwakhe Mbuli, who the SABC has said is spearheading the organising of the concert, previously told TMG Entertainment that he was expecting crowds of at least twenty thousand people.

"I'm no prophet and anything can happen but I expect at least twenty thousand people."

But, after a week of problems plaguing the last minute put together concert, his predictions couldn't be further from the truth.

On Friday TMG Entertainment revealed controversial promoter Morris Roda – earlier investigated by the authorities after a failed Miriam Makeba tribute concert which cost taxpayers millions – has emerged as one of the key players behind the show.

Numerous artists including AKA and Jack Parow fingered Roda has the person who had contacted them regarding payment and performance arrangements for the show.

But they said they had not been paid and would not perform unless payment was made.

Although the line-up named an abundance of artists, TMG Entertainment was at the show, and key artists did not perform.

Controversy has plagued the show ever since the SABC earlier this week sent out a press release stating it was supporting the show, explaining that it was also paying for all costs.

It quickly backtracked, insisting the statement made was not on its behalf.

Another statement was then issued where Phumelela Entertainment was named as the organisers and producers.

However, company registration records obtained by TMG Entertainment indicate Phumelela is in the process of being deregistered for not complying with statutory annual returns to the companies registrar.

The accountants for Phumelela are listed as Hlabano Accounting.

• REVEALED! Controversial promoter key player in SABC concertControversial music promoter Morris Roda – earlier investigated by the authorities after a failed Miriam Makeba tribute concert which cost taxpayers millions – has emerged as one of the key players behind the eyebrow-raising Thank You SABC Music Concert scheduled to be held at Orlando Stadium on Saturday. 

An accountant at the firm, who did not want to be named, said Phumelela  was involved in organising concerts but said he did not know anything about the upcoming Thank You SABC Music Concert.

The failed concert did not escape Twitter and trended for most of Saturday.