Since Makhadzi, a singer and dancer who goes by Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, stated that Open Mic Productions is no longer her label, there hasn’t been a single day of relaxation. ZiMoja later discovered that the director of Makhadazi, Mr. Brown, actual name Lynol Siwela, had been expelled from the country by Home Affairs due to his overstaying his visa and failing to renew his work permit.
The producer with Open Mic Productions for seven years who verifies that he has been returned home tells ZiMoja from Harare that it is true.
“It’s not a big deal, really. I overstayed for a month. I was supposed to renew my work permit but didn’t get a chance. I was staying in SA legally, I even have a wife and a child on the way,” he said.
On his way back to South Africa from Botswana, Mr. Brown claims he was detained at the border gate. “I traveled to Botswana, and on the way home, I was stopped. All by myself. My only complaint was that the label was meant to help me resolve the situation in three days, but they informed me that it would be too expensive to get a lawyer and sent me back home, he continues. I am still good here, but I can go back at any time if I want to. My wife is due this month, so all I can think about is her.”
He claims that because of his excessive stay, he was not allowed to file an appeal and as a result, was denied entrance into South Africa.
Mr. Brown claims that he is purposefully delaying his arrival. “The tension between Makhadzi and Open Mic is something I’m trying to avoid, to be perfectly honest. I want to remain in Zim until the dust settles because I don’t want to appear to be picking sides or getting caught in the crossfire,” Mr. Brown adds. He continues by saying Makhadzi and he are in comparable circumstances. “Since I first signed with the label, I also never received my contract. I stayed for seven years even though it was originally only for three. My happiness at the time gave me no reason to quit. However, I believe that now is the perfect time for me to develop and begin working under my own label.”