Michael Machiwona, the founding director of Naiza Boom, has addressed allegations made by four former members of his group – Terrence Chirinda (Jatiwero), Yvonne Chirowa (Vovo), Myron Muswe (Ozemwa), and Enlight Muzira (Netsai).
These former members left the group after nine years, citing low salaries and unprofessional behaviour by Machiwona.
Machiwona sat down with Zim Reality Eye TV’s DJ Sparks and gave his side of the story. Despite the nasty public fallout, Naiza Boom insisted that his relationship with his former members remains amicable.
Regarding the issue of low salaries, Michael Machiwona initially declined to disclose the exact earnings of his actors and actresses. He explained that salaries were more substantial before they began purchasing cars for their crew members. The payments dipped when they started purchasing vehicles for the team.
“Kumashure kwese uko pasati patanga kuita madhiri emota, mari dzataiwanza kutambira like kuma range kuma200, ma300. But last year, ndopatai panana dzinenge dzasara kana tatenga mota.
Ndoma80 anga akutaurwa nevakomana nema50. But kumashure kwese uko dzaitambiriswa ma300 nema200 nema250. Zvichisangana nekuti month iroro pabuda marii. Ndomashandiro ataiita,” Naiza Boom explained.
Regarding allegations of unprofessional behaviour, Michael Machiwona acknowledged that he is a work in progress and appealed to people to highlight his shortcomings so he could improve.
“Kana varikuti vane character yavanoonawo kwandiri handisati ndambonzwawo hangu one day ravakauya vachiti, “Mudhara pakati makandikanganisira”. Handisati. So kana pane pandakakanganisa, I think Jati munhu wandinotofarirawo zvisingaiti.
Kana achikwanisa ngaangouyewo ati, “Mukoma wangu pakati makanganisa” kana kuti “Murikunganisa pakati.” I think zvinhu zvinogona kuti batsira,” Naiza Boom pleaded with Jatiwero to come forward with his grievances.
When asked if there is room for reconciliation, Naiza Boom expressed no grudge against the four former members who left his stable. He professed his undying affection for them and suggested they find a mediator to facilitate a resolution.
“Kana vachikwanisa vanokwanisa kuuya togara pasi totaurirana sefamily. Hongu munhu wese anokanganisa. Hongu munhu wese anotadza. Hapana munhu asingakanganise. But chinoitika manje ndechekuti kana matadzirana munofanirwa kugara pasi sefamily zvopera,” Naiza said.
Additionally, he offered to assist them in establishing their own group if they were not interested in rejoining Naiza Boom.
Source iHarare
