The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has been reported to have applied to the provincial treasury for virements, which is the transfer of funds from one financial account or part of a budget to another to allow it to raise R20 million to R28 million to host the South African Music Awards in November. 

FABRICATION

The KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs have since come forward to speak on the issue related to SAMA's funding stating they have noted the "enquiries based on misleading information." Whilst they claim to understand the right of elected public representatives to raise issues, they note that information and figures have been fabricated and posted on various social media platforms in order to create panic and to belittle attempts to resuscitate the tourism and entertainment sectors. "We reject the figure of R28 million as just a politically manufactured fabrication. We can confirm that around R20 million was suggested as part of a three-year partnership and procurement processes are underway in line with the Public Finance Management Act," the statement reads.

ARTIST'S PLIGHT

From the proposed investment of R20 million, more than R350 million will be injected into the provincial economy over the next two months - this year alone. They brought up the issue of artists being underpaid. "The message is that they must be paid peanuts and live in squalor conditions. The government remains concerned about the plight of artists representing different music genres and those in the film industry. This is the matter that MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs Siboniso Duma articulated in Soweto Theatre during the announcement of KZN as the host."

In this regard, they wish to confirm that in terms of the agreement with the Recording Industry of South Africa, industry rates will apply to compensate artists and those who will render services. "According to the department's Economic Research, Strategy and Planning, and Unit, SAMA Awards will inject more than R350 million into the KZN economy through the various build-up programmes, hotel, accommodation, and transport for artists and guests, sponsorships and media programmes," the statement continues. "For the host city alone, more than R63 million will be injected with various sectors of the economy in the townships and Greater Durban area benefitting."

In the fun facts, they advise that South Africa's creative industry is one of the fastest developing sectors in the country and fairs quite favourably on the regional and global stage. "Economic Forum on The Future of Jobs and Skills in Africa listed the Creative Economy as one of the trending professions, which had a growth rate of 7% between 2011 and 2016. According to the statement, "The sector is fast recovering from the onslaught of Covid-19 and programmes such as SAMA awards will not only help to promote the sector but will further profile our artists on the local and international platforms."