Local supporters and artists threaten to boycott Mapungubwe festival
Artists and supporters from the province threaten to boycott the annual Mapungubwe Jazz and Heritage Festival due to the fact that artists from Limpopo don't feature on the festival line-up.
POLOKWANE – Artists and supporters from the province threaten to boycott the annual Mapungubwe Jazz and Heritage Festival due to the fact that artists from Limpopo don’t feature on the festival line-up.
The festival marks the official start to the annual Mapungubwe Jazz and Heritage Festival which takes place this Saturday.
The festival was delayed for three hours when the protesters gathered at the entrance to the Polokwane Cricket Club, chanted slogans and threatened to boycott the remainder of the festival on Saturday.
A call by the Limpopo Arts & Culture Youth Forum to protest went out a few weeks ago
The forum’s chairperson, Romeo Ramuada, said the protesters wanted to challenge the line-up.
He alleged that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, which organises the event, this year invited an international artist at an exorbitant fee, while South African artists are paid a pittance and Limpopo artists have not even made the line-up.
He claimed the festival organisers do not care about furthering the careers of local artists, to whom inclusion in the line-up means their bread and butter.
“Employment in the country is a challenge. Our artists depend on every cent to survive. Instead of boosting them, the department recognises international artists,” he added.
One local artist, Steve Masenya, claimed to have been excluded at the last minute.
He said he was told his group would perform at the Gospel Festival but was shocked on Saturday when they were told they would no longer perform. (This could, however, not be confirmed)
No comment had been received from the department.
