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- The KwaZulu-Natal government has hit back at claims that there is something "sinister" about the R20 million being invested into hosting the SA Music Awards (SAMAs) in November.
- ActionSA KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Zwakele Mngcwango made damning claims about the provincial government's plans to divert funds from other state programmes towards the SAMAs budget.
- The provincial Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs says it has the backing of artists and tourism.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) has moved to respond to ActionSA chairperson Zwakele Mngcwango's claim that there is something "sinister" about the SA Music Awards (SAMAs) budget.
EDTEA MEC Siboniso Duma's spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya said the funding processes for SAMAs were above board, after Mncwango wrote to the legislature and issued a statement to the media about the "most concerning" budget.
Sibiya said "journalists have also forwarded to us messages from [ActionSA provincial chairperson] Zwakele Mncwango" which were "laced with fabrication".
"Based on these messages, we are left with a distinct impression that there is an attempt to erode hope for a better future [for the] tourism, hospitality and entertainment sectors in this province," Sibiya said.
He added:
He said the SAMAs would "bring 4 000 visitors, create much-needed jobs and generate R350 million for the people of KwaZulu-Natal".
On documents showing that the KwaZulu-Natal treasury raised concerns about the cost of hosting the awards, Sibiya said:
Although Mncwango raised alarm about a proposed R5 million virement from Ithala Bank to the event – which the provincial treasury decided was a process that should go through legislators – Sibiya stressed that the process followed to secure approval from treasury was "above board, transparent and free of any irregularities".
"Unfortunately, in the process of ensuring transparency, official and public[ly] available documents have been weaponised against the department to scandalise this national event with global following," he said.
Sibiya added that KwaZulu-Natal had previously hosted similar events of national concern and generated millions of rands in revenue from those events.
He said the province had won the bid to host the SAMAs, adding that the creative sector showed support for the event and the tourism industry had expressed "enthusiasm" for it.
