“We wish to advise that the Jennifer Rush concert, planned for Friday October 23, has been cancelled. Jennifer Rush has had to make an emergency trip back to New York, following a serious illness striking her father. Her concerts in Zimbabwe and Namibia, as well as remaining ones in South Africa, have been cancelled,” wrote the organisers of the show.
Jennifer also wrote on her Facebook timeline that:
“I was informed yesterday my father has been put in hospital and he is gravely ill.
Disappointing so many fans here in South Africa who have been attending my concerts and following my television shows here with so much love and kindness is heart wrenching and makes me very sad.
It has been a very difficult decision. However I have decided to catch the first flight back to New York so my daughter may be with her grandfather and I with them both.
It is with a very heavy heart we leave South Africa so suddenly and I can only hope you understand and will welcome me and my family again after such short notice of cancellations of shows.”
A statement from Minky Walters of Sound Event Management, Harare, issued today (Weds Oct 21):
Sound Event Management was advised last week that the current tour of Southern Africa by US singer Jennifer Rush had been abruptly cancelled and we were advised by the singer herself through her social media platforms that she was returning to the USA as her father had been taken ill. We therefore advised people who had purchased tickets and potential buyers of the cancellation of the sad news accordingly. We are now informed by the South African organiser of the tour that circumstances surrounding the departure may not be quite as stated by Ms Rush and we in Harare understand there is now a dispute between them. The nature and progress of this dispute, of course, will not change the situation, which is that the Harare concert planned for Friday October 23, is cancelled. Our main focus at the present time is on providing refunds to people who had purchased tickets. All sponsors and other interested parties, including the authorities from approvals are sought, have been kept informed on the situation. Sound Event Management and the sponsors are disappointed at the turn of events, as we had all been looking forward to what we thought would be a good musical concert featuring a singer and a programme that local fans would enjoy.
