THE international music concert due to kick off in Port Elizabeth today was thrown into chaos yesterday with several of the top artists scheduled to perform still waiting for air tickets last night.

Time has also run out for American performer Keri Hilson to get to Port Elizabeth in time for her scheduled performance at the Mandela Bay Stadium tonight.

The international hip hop star was due to land in Port Elizabeth yesterday afternoon but had still not arrived by late yesterday.

Earlier in the week, she expressed doubts over her visit. “As of right now my trip to Africa’s up in the air!” Hilson wrote on her Twitter page.

And other national artists who were supposed to attended a gala dinner in the city last night were left stranded in Johannesburg. They said Dompas Media Production, the company organising the event, had not confirmed their air tickets.

International jazz artist Vusi Mahlasela said: “My band and I are very angry with what is happening. At least the company should have told us it was facing problems.”

Mahlasela and his band had to drive back to Pretoria after waiting in vain at the OR Tambo International Airport for their ticket reference number. This was supposed to have been provided by Dompas executive producer Wandile Yani.

“What frustrates me the most is no one is picking up their phones when we call. We were supposed to arrive in Port Elizabeth today (Thursday) for the gala dinner and also rehearse for the show tomorrow,” Mahlasela said.

Jazz artist Simphiwe Dana’s manager said she was also still waiting for a ticket confirmation.

“The company had already paid a full deposit fee for her to perform on Sunday. I do not know what is happening.”

Kwaito artist L’vovo who is booked to perform tonight, is also in the same boat.

“There are rumours the show has been cancelled, but I will only believe it when the promoters tell me so. I’m also still waiting for a ticket confirmation,” he said.

Jazz great Hugh Masekela’s manager said the flight bookings and accommodation for the artists was supposed to be paid by the promoters. “It is strange because they have paid a full performance fee for Masekela, but no flight details have been confirmed yet.

“If they didn’t pay the stage fee I would cancel the trip, but now since they have paid and signed the contract I need to wait for them to tell me what to do,” he said.

Despite repeated attempts The Herald was unable to get comment from Dompas.

Earlier, the company said it had an overall budget of R15-million for the concert, including R2-million from the Mandela Bay Municipality.

Eastern Cape Tourism and the Economic Development and Environmental Affairs Department had each donated R250000 towards the event.

Municipal spokesman Luncedo Njezula said yesterday organising the event was not their task.

“We merely sponsored the show because we saw an opportunity to market the city at international level,” said Njezula. “We cannot cancel the show – the event organisers must do that.”

Njezula said the municipality would continue sponsoring international music and sporting events held at the stadium as this was one of the ways to profile the city and also attract tourists as well as generate jobs for the local people.

Meanwhile the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Music Association also called for the cancellation of the music show.

The association’s chairman, Dumile Manxoyi, said of the 29 artists brought in by Dompas only two were from Nelson Mandela Bay.

Last month another major concert at the city’s 2010 soccer stadium featuring Busta Rhymes ended in disaster after the American star failed to perform due to poor crowd support.