Morgan Heritage - File

MORGAN HERITAGE are scheduled to perform in Harare, Zimbabwe, on New Year's Day, according to a statement from promoters Music Cross Zimbabwe (MCZ).

Mathius Bangure, national coordinator for MCZ and head of Afrimune Records, said last week that Morgan Heritage had approached him several times about performing in the troubled southern African country.

"We have been communicating with them for some time now and we have since reached an agreement with the band to perform in Zimbabwe," Bangure said. "As MCZ, we also felt it was proper that we invite them since the band will be touring a number of African states during the festive season."

Many reggae acts, including Gregory Isaacs and Luciano, have performed in Zimbabwe since April 1980, when Bob Marley appeared there in a concert to mark the country's freedom from years of oppressive rule under the racist premier Ian Smith.

In recent years, Zimbabwe has endured political turmoil between president Robert Mugabe and opponents of his ZANU-PF party.