After two months of cancelled concerts and dodging calls and emails from angry ticketholders looking for refunds, concert promoter Wynand de Villiers is getting ready to tell all.
De Villiers has an extensive resume in the eventing industry in South Africa and major cycling events. However, as of late, his concerts and name have been surrounded by controversy.
In a newsletter, de Villiers, a former journalist, announced his new documentary “When the Silence Breaks”, where he makes his voice heard, after ignoring IOL’s numerous requests for a right of reply.
The newsletter explained: “ ‘When the Silence Breaks’ exposes the intricate machinery of South Africa’s Afrikaans entertainment industry — the manipulation, competition, backroom deals and the price of loyalty — through encounters with some of its most recognizable figures, including Steve Hofmeyr, Kurt Darren, Juanita du Plessis, Arnold Coleske, Albertus Potgieter, Murray Lubbe , and others whose influence defines an era.”
De Villiers started making headlines this year when the Theuns Jordaan Tribute Concert in Amsterdam was hit by scandal around payments. He claimed that production costs reached R5.3 million against ticket revenues of R2.8 million and Kurt Darren demanded and received an exorbitant fee of R92,000 for singing only a handful of songs.
The series also looks beyond national borders, with insights into collaborations with international artists and agents such as Blue, 2 Unlimited, Whigfield, Rednex, Vengaboys, Haddaway, Dr. Alban, Technotronic, Snap! and Milli Vanilli .
He was then back in the news after United Kingdom band Blue’s South African concerts were cancelled due to a breach of contract by the promoter, leaving fans disappointed and seeking refunds.
For weeks Blue concert ticketholders have been searching for answers as to when they will get their refunds only to be hit with news that the company had officially ceased all operations following the successful liquidation application brought by Hit Factory.
The Western Cape High Court granted a liquidation order against de Villiers’ company, De Villiers National Cycling (also known as Cool Concerts and Top Tickets), after owing more than R2 million to production company Hit Factory.
The 20 episode documentaries, according to de Villiers, will “expose the systematic control exercised by certain influential role players and media channels — how stories are created, reputations are used as weapons, and truth is distorted for public entertainment.”
According to Netwerk24, de Villers has since lost his Amarok and quietly moved out of fancy house in La Bella Vita wine estate in Paarl.
The 20-part YouTube documentary kicks off on Saturday at 18:00.
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