Fans in Zambia have taken gospel artiste Pompi to task over his recent complaint about being denied entry at Livingstone Crocodile Park, sparking a heated online debate on timekeeping and customer service.
Pompi, whose real name is Chaka Nyantando, shared his disappointment in a Facebook post after he and his family were turned away from the tourist attraction despite arriving at 16:40, within the park’s advertised operating hours of 08:00 to 17:00.
According to the artiste, the visit had been carefully planned as a special outing for five of his nieces and nephews, along with his two children, many of whom were expected to see crocodiles and snakes for the first time. However, upon arrival, Pompi said they were denied entry by reception staff who explained that sessions take too long and advised that he should have arrived earlier. He further expressed concern that there was no clear indication of a “last entry” time on the park’s posters or official information.
The gospel singer also revealed that his attempt to escalate the matter to management did not yield a satisfactory response. Instead, he was allegedly informed that staff were tired due to the busy Easter period and had not yet had lunch—an explanation he felt did not justify the refusal or the lack of apology.
Pompi argued that businesses, especially in a city regarded as Zambia’s tourist capital, should uphold high standards of hospitality and transparency. He stressed that quality service should be extended to all customers equally, regardless of status.
“Great service should be a right for every customer, not a privilege reserved for those with a following,” he wrote, questioning whether it was fair for a business to turn away paying customers before closing time without prior notice.
Despite his concerns, many social media users were quick to challenge his position, arguing that arriving just 20 minutes before closing was impractical, especially for activities that require guided sessions.
Several commenters noted that the staff were justified in refusing entry, emphasizing that proper planning and time management are essential. Others compared the situation to attending a concert late and expecting the performer to restart the show.
The incident has since gone viral, attracting thousands of reactions and comments, with opinions sharply divided between those calling for better customer service and those insisting on personal responsibility when it comes to timekeeping.
As debate continues, the situation has highlighted broader conversations around service standards, communication, and the importance of respecting operational procedures in Zambia’s tourism sector.
