MAVADO fans in Zimbabwe who were anticipating his performance yesterday at the Harare International Conference Centre, have been let down as the gig was postponed.

According to zimbabwemetro.com the singjay has postponed the date to January 27, 2012.

 A statement from C & A Entertainment manager, Clint Robinson, organisers of the show, said: "Mavado has not cancelled the Zimbabwe show but has postponed it. He has his personal reasons that forced him to postpone the show."

Mavado has also a Kenyan date. He was supposed to perform in that east African country on December 17.

According to Robinson, Mavado — who is known for hit song such as Star Bwoy, On The Rock, and Mad Ova — postponed the shows to attend a funeral of a relative.

This is the second major disappointment for Zimbabwean reggae fans in recent weeks. Beres Hammond was scheduled to headline shows in Harare and Bulawayo in October but did not show up.

Cocoa Tea and Fantan Mojah appeared on those shows.

Zimbabwe has become a hub for dancehall artistes in recent years. Sizzla, who has performed there, has a huge fan base in the country.

Bob Marley was a major force in the southern African country during the 1970s when it was known as Rhodesia. The country's president, Robert Mugabe, said his troops listened to Marley's music during the fight for freedom from the Apartheid policies of Rhodesian leader, Ian Smith.

Marley performed in Zimbabwe in 1980 to mark the country's independence. His album, Survival, was inspired by developments in the country.