N$86 000 dispute over Pearl Thusi no-show for ‘Weekend in The East’
A contractual dispute involving South African media personality Pearl Thusi has emerged following her last-minute cancellation at the ‘Weekend in the East’ event held at AM Ludgerus Boutique Estate at Rundu on 31 May.
Organisers are demanding a full refund of N$86 406 from her management, Africa Creative Agency, citing direct costs incurred due to her absence.
The amount includes a N$40 000 booking fee deposit, N$19 346 in flight tickets, N$8 360 for visas, and N$18 700 for vehicle rental. Event host and the owner of Am Ludgerus Boutique Estate, Ludgerus Amushila, has confirmed that this sum was spent specifically on Thusi’s participation.
“This is money lost as a direct result of her last-minute cancellation,” says Amushila, expressing disappointment at the lack of accountability shown by the agency.
According to correspondence, the agreement between the two parties stipulated that a 14-day notice must be given by either party in the event of termination. Amushila says this clause was breached and that the agency’s refusal to issue a refund is both unprofessional and damaging to business relations.
“Our engagement was strictly with Africa Creative Agency. They confirmed the booking, received payment and arranged logistics,” says Amushila. “Now that there’s a breach, they’re passing us on to a lawyer we were never introduced to during the process.”
In response, Africa Creative Agency, through Yvette Gayle, denies liability, stating their role was limited to representing the artist and handling logistics.
“We are not a party to our clients’ contractual obligations,” says Gayle in an emailed response.
“As a talent agency acting solely in a representative capacity, we are not a party to our clients’ contractual obligations nor guarantors of their performance… Our role is limited to facilitating bookings, negotiating terms and collecting payments on behalf of our clients.”
The agency advises organisers to direct further communication to Thusi’s legal representative, Roger Patton, adding: “We trust this clarifies our position.”
Amushila also criticises Thusi’s apology video, calling it insincere.
“She was reading it. It lacked empathy and professionalism,” he says.
“We’re not dealing with amateurs. This is the same agency that manages big names like Tyla, Nasty C, Sauti Sol and Celeste Ntuli,” he says.
Despite the setback, the event proceeded with Namibian rapper Lioness, who is currently on her ‘If Not In This Life’ album tour.
“Pearl’s absence didn’t cancel the event,” Amushila clarifies. “Lioness delivered a great performance, and our guests had a true ‘Weekend in the East’ experience.”
This was the eighth edition of ‘Weekend in the East’, and Thusi was billed as the second international act to headline the regional experience following rapper Nadia Nakai. The event attracts guests from Angola, Botswana and other southern African nations.
As for what’s next, Amushila says they will continue the series.
“We won’t stop. But we will tighten our procurement processes. These acts must be vetted for professionalism and reliability.”
He adds: “We’re still hoping the agency does the right thing and reimburses the funds.”
UnWrap.online reached out to Africa Creative Agency for further comment, but no additional response was received by the time of publication.
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