Music industry gets Covid-19 support
The fund opened on May 1 for deejay's displaced by the pandemic to receive financial support.
As a champion of music and supporting local talent, Ballantine’s True Music has pledged R100 000 towards the DJ Relief Fund which is spearheaded by the organisers of Dance Music Summit and SAMRO.
From May 1 the fund opened for deejay’s displaced by the pandemic to receive financial support.
The coronavirus has created devastation in almost every industry and forced people globally to adopt a new way of living and interacting with one another.
One such industry that was first to be affected and continues to be impacted is entertainment.
An estimated five thousands deejay’s who depend on bars, clubs and taverns for a source of income have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.
Ballantine’s and Dance Music Summit took note of this and partnered to offer much-needed relief through the DJ Relief Fund.
The deejay community, unfortunately, cannot receive any business support from the government and are not entitled to UIF benefits as they aren’t formally employed.
The fund will be administered by SAMRO and grants of up to R1000 will be available for those who seek assistance.
For the application to be approved the applicant needs to have a proven track record of working in the industry through their social pages and provide a letter from a venue where they have a residency.
“As we fight the pandemic we will be engaging with our online communities for support. Over the next few weeks we will also be hosting a series of live stream events to be a dedicated source of support to the fund.
“We are grateful to Ballantine’s True Music who has continued to contribute to the South African dance music scene even in such times,” said DJ Christos, founder of the Dance Music Summit and South African DJ.
Members of the public who wish to donate towards the cause may also do so through a Go Fund Me page.
Applications are open at www.dancemusicsummit.com.
