Stanbic Bank Zambia has signed an agreement with mobile phone service provider Airtel Networks Zambia Plc for the sponsorship of the country’s largest music event of the year, which is planned for September 22-23, 2017.
The Stanbic Music Festival, now in its fourth year, has previously been sponsored by Stanbic Bank, but this year’s edition has attracted the support of other partners including Airtel Zambia, which lays ground for an even better and more spectacular music event.
Continuing with the tradition of attracting international entertainers of acclaim, this year’s music festival will feature iconic American rhythm and blues (R&B) vocal group Boyz II Men as the headline act. In 2016, the festival hosted award-winning UK-based pop-reggae band UB40. It has previously hosted renowned acts including Hugh Masekela, Oliver M’tukudzi, Mi Casa, Earl Klugh and Zonke as well as a host of top local artistes.
Stanbic Chief Executive Charles Mudiwa said he was happy that the music event was attracting the support of like-minded and progressive corporates to give a boost to an event that supports local arts, culture and tourism.
“We are happy to have Airtel on board in sponsoring this prestigious event. This event is our way of creating a legendary event platform that offers a unique artistic event that contributes to our culture and local tourism. For us this year it all about the local artists and giving them a platform to share a stage with an international act,” said Mr Mudiwa.
“We have been in Zambia for over 60 years and we’ve been part of the country’s growth story. Part of our commitment and investment in Zambia has been focused towards uplifting local communities through sponsorship of arts and culture,” he added.
“Due to the diversity and quality of performances slated for the festival, we have built a platform with variety of local artistes who will take the stage with Boyz II men; local music talents that offer their unique music genius to this legendary event whose profile keeps growing with every annual hosting of the festival. It’s also an opportunity to enable Boyz II Men sample Zambia’s music and culture,” he said.
Speaking at the partnership announcement event, Airtel Zambia Managing Director Peter Correia said “We are excited about this partnership and believe that this year’s festival will be even bigger than the previous years. We have always had a good working relationship with Stanbic and consider this partnership as the beginning to even more collaborations between the two entities.”
Airtel Networks Zambia Plc has pumped in K500,000 to be the Platinum Sponsor of the Music festival.
Good Gesture BUT!
Stanbic would have managed to pull this one off even without Airtel coming on board… they’ve been doing this for the past 4 years. It is a good gesture from Airtel but not a great idea ….
This event has very little benefits in terms of promoting our local artistes and our cultural heritage, nothing wrong with that, that’s how it’s been packaged by the main sponsors Stanbic. It’s a great concept and we should embrace it as such.
I however do have an issue with Airtel. Airtel like all the other mobile companies in Zambia have benefited immensely from our local music industry and it is just in order they are seen to be plowing back some of their profits to grow the industry.
Our local artistes have pushed the agenda to promote their brand on so many fronts and…
@1 EILYA BEBA ATI MARKETING THE BUSINESS OR BUSINESSES. I KNOW LIMBI TETI UFISHIBE. IT WOULD BE FOLLY FOR ANY COMPANY NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN SUCH PROMOTIONS. WHILE THE DIRECT AIM IS TO PROMOTE MUSICIANS AND ZAMBIAN AND REGIONAL MUSIC OR WHATEVER, BUSINESSES MARKET THEIR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THROUGH SUCH SPONSORSHIPS OF SUCH FUNCTIONS. IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF KUTI BAFICITA BEKA. BUT, I DO UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM NOBUTUTU BWA PA ZAMBIA UBWAMUMA ABSOLUTE PARASTATAL ORGANISATIONS MU UNIP.
Our local artistes have pushed the agenda to promote their brand on so many fronts and some of their profits on their balance sheets is from the sale caller ring back tones… creative works of our local musicians. They should have invested that amount in our local music industry or should be seen to be true partners to grow the industry… K500,000 is a lot of money for our local music platform with stunted growth.
…Just some little advice to manege perceptions.
Thanks
Very True and wise.
I hear you through and through. The Stanbic music festival while having a headlinging international artist like B2M also promotes local artists in the supporting role. Could it be that the sponsorship from Airtel is being directed towards such…in which case they would be fairly contributing to and promoting the pay back to Zambian artists?
Having a big party with Boyz II Men! Just think about it! Boring!