Following Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s address on Wednesday about his department’s plans for art practitioners, actress Rami Chuene said that the minister and his Department of Sports, Arts and Culture doesn’t take them seriously!
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“The minister came to tell us that there are plans to make plans, but no real plans yet. It sounded like minutes from a brainstorm session,” – Mmabatho Montsho.
Nathi Mthethwa announced that he has set aside over R150-million to provide much-needed relief to practitioners in the arts sector.
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“The Department has therefore reprioritized its budget allocation from quarter one to avail over R150 million to provide the much-needed relief to practitioners in the sector. The allocated funds will be utilized to render various forms of support to practitioners during this period,” said Nathi Mthethwa.
Min. Nathi Mthethwa said that priority will be given to artists and practitioners who were already booked by some of the cancelled and postponed events funded by the department, as well as to the legends of the industry.
“Working the details of criteria? Focusing on ones with local & international footprint? Who? Black Mambazo? Ndlovu Choir? Who? What is up and coming? Call actors? Extras? Backing vocals? Session musicians? Writers? Crew? @NathiMthethwaSA please explain. Help us understand.
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“Dancers, set designers, makeup, wardrobe, showrunners, directors, theatre managers, staff, caterers, orchestras, studios, Radio DJs, engineers, fine artists, sportspeople, etc. This is BIGGER than front liners & superstars! @NathiMthethwaSA & the Dept don’t take us seriously,” wrote Rami Chuene.
Rami Chuene has also challenged Nathi Mthethwa to name the “legends” his department took care of.
“Publishers, editors, authors, fashion, poets? Minister talks of legends? Which legends did they take care of? Local & international? Like who? Mahotella Queens? The one with Mahlathini who died a pauper? Oh, pls let’s go through the list of acclaimed but poor artists! Name them,” asked Rami Chuene.
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“Being buried at The Heroes Acre a se maemo! Maybe a street named after me? A monument by Newtown? A national, televised funeral? Congratulations to and condolences to? Come on, respect us!” charged Rami Chuene.
The minster continued to say that for the audiovisual sector, already over 25 TV productions have been postponed, possibly to be cancelled by broadcasters, about 15 live shows have been cancelled.
“The DSAC together with the Department of Communication are engaging the broadcasters to ensure that producers should pay the cast and crew that were due to go into production,” said Nathi Mthethwa.
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Amongst the strict measures announced by the President was to limit gatherings to less than one hundred people.
“This necessary measure was a fatal blow to the sector since it depends on numbers for it to survive be it Gigs, Concerts, Sporting matches et al,” said Nathi Mthethwa.
The Minister also further called upon both the public and private broadcasters to lend a hand in the relief program towards the sector by playing more locally produced content to enable artists to earn royalties and to show patriotism towards their country.
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READ THE FULL STATEMENT [HERE].
MGOSI.co.za