THE ASTON MARTIN LYRICS, THE HANDSHAKE, THE HUG, THE MULTI-MILLIONAIRE GLOBAL SUPERSTAR. . . My few minutes of a date with Rick Ross

MEETING, let alone chatting with Rick Ross and hugging the American superstar rapper, was not part of my original plans. After all, there was no indication that he would be at Harare Sports Club on Friday night. It’s a long flight from his base in Miami, Florida, and the expectation was that the man who calls himself the ‘Biggest Boss’ would be resting on Friday night.

After all, he had a show to take care of the following night at the Hippodrome in the Hillside area of the capital. But, when you travel private, and in luxury, distances cease to be something of a concern. When you fly on a plane with a master bedroom, a Jacuzzi, a stand-up shower, circadian lighting systems which combat jet leg, a private lavatory, conference rooms and even a dedicated wardrobe, you are basically in a five-star hotel suite in the air.

I had been told that I will be given some time on the stage to talk about Scottland, their sensational achievements last year and how the media reacted to their colourful arrival and covered their adventure to the Promised Land. I ended up being one of the guys who conducted the auction of the Scottland jerseys, including one, signed by President Mnangagwa, which sold for a record US$1 million. What came first was my few minutes of fame in the company of Rick Ross.

[paywall]

I had just gone onto the stage, and been handed the microphone by Barry Manandi, one of the directors of ceremony, when I felt this was an opportunity to shake the building and bring the guests to life. Until that point, I had felt the atmosphere had been flat even though it was a packed auditorium. So, I tried to shake it a bit and left the stage and headed straight to the special guest Rick Ross, who was in the VVIP Enclosure in the company of Scottland owner Scott Sakupwanya, the businessman who had flown him here to celebrate for the celebrations of the legislator’s 47th birthday.

Deputy Sports Minister Emily Jesaya was also in that VVIP Enclosure. I approached that VVIP Arena with a bit of caution.

[/paywall]