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Music legend Blondie Makhene (63) says all creatives in the music sector, including backing vocalists, composers and songwriters, should benefit from the R150 million Covid-19 coronavirus relief fund, not only those that had dealings with the government.
“It is unfair when the department of sport, arts and culture is considering only artists who were booked by the department – the same department that cannot even book 10% of the music sector – for gigs,” Makhene said, adding that this was the time for music associations to represent their members.
Songwriter and musical storyteller Mam’ Tu Nokwe said she submitted a long proposal for theatre workshops for children and youth to the department.
“I believe in long-term projects, even though I couldn’t apply for my shows that were cancelled, because of time constraints,” she said.
The 60-year-old explained that there were a lot of “unknown and talented artists” who performed in clubs and at business functions, and who wouldn’t benefit from this relief fund.
“This is their opportunity to make a mark for themselves in their field of work; the adjudication committee should reconsider them,” said Nokwe.
She also encouraged those unknown artists to showcase their talents on social media.
The Cultural Industries Federation of South Africa backed the statements of the artists.
The federation’s general secretary, Ayanda Roda, said every South African artist should benefit from the Covid-19 relief fund allocated by the department of sports, arts and culture two months ago.
“Even those artists who were not booked by the department should not be discriminated, but should be able to access the relief fund. There is no money that should go back because of non-compliance,” Roda said.
On Monday, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa said a number of applications were unsuccessful, especially for those who are in great need of the relief fund.
“Some of the reasons of non-compliance included: department of sports, arts and culture application document missing or attached but not filled in. No cancellation or even contract documents. Also some applicants did not provide any proof of postponement or cancellations letter of contracts.
We were especially concerned after the adjudication committee advised us of some of their reasons, many of them legitimate reasons such as lack of resources.”
He also pointed out that applicants who were not recommended had the option to address the appeals committee.
Roda said the federation had established a response committee to engage industry’s associations affiliated under the Cultural Industries Federation.
However, Steve Tsie, the chairperson of the Music Performers Association of South Africa – which represents more than 100 members [including legends] – told City Press that many of its members were unable to submit their applications, because they were computer illiterate.
“We have been engaging with the Cultural Industries Federation and the department on behalf of the legends who were left out, because it is our role and responsibility to make sure our members and legends benefit from the relief fund,” Tsie said.
He said that he had already submitted the database of its members to the Cultural Industries Federation and the department and had engaged with the department to re-open the application, so that those artists who were unable to apply or missed the deadline for relief fund could be given a second chance.
The South African Music Industry Council welcomed Mthethwa’s statement.
“We are encouraged that the minister and his leadership are willing to put systems in place to assist applicants that failed due to compliance issues. He also indicated that most of the unsuccessful applicants come from previously disadvantaged communities thus making the announced proposed interventions urgent.
We also appreciate the appeal panel that the department set up to ensure that all queries are speedily attended to and resolved,” the council said in a statement.
It called on music promoters, club owners, event managers to assist artists they booked for events and gigs with the letters of support so that they could submit them as part of the compliance process.
The organisation welcomed the reiteration by the minister for local content to be increased by broadcasters.
Read: ‘It’s an American circus!’ – Artists up in arms over local content quota on radio
“We urge the minister to also consider the opening of music studios at level 4 so that more local content can be produced. We also call on all music compilers and radio DJs to be more patriotic and sensitive to this call and for Icasa and the department of communications to ensure that broadcasters comply with our requests as a music sector.”
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