ActionSA calls for no action on South African Music Awards

ACTIONSA submitted an urgent letter to the head of state, President Cyril Ramaphosa, calling for an immediate intervention to halt the hosting of the 2023 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) that were to be hosted by the eThekwini Municipality in November.

The letter written by Zwakele Mncwango, chairperson of ActionSA, explained their dismay at the amount of money the province had planned to use for this event when the province is facing many issues that need that kind of budget.

“Our objection to the EDTEA’s [KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs] plan to splurge R28 million on the SAMAs is rooted in the fact that the Department’s intention to divert funds from other programmes lacks fiscal justification and is not in compliance with the necessary approval process from the Provincial Legislature,” the letter read.

Also read: OneVoice South Africa showcases giant cut-outs of students at Phansi Museum

While the event was set to boost the province’s tourism sector and economy greatly, the odds outweigh the good. The eThekwini Municipality had planned to spend R28 million for the event, when Honorable Mxolisi Kaunda, the mayor of eThekwini, added a further R24 million to the budget, bringing the total amount to R58 million.

“As further evidence of the inflated expenses to be borne by the residents of KZN, Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda unilaterally committed an additional R25 million for hosting the SAMAs, without seeking prior council approval,” said Mncwango in his letter.

MEC Siboniso Duma responded by putting a halt to the event. “Having consulted widely with the executive council and other stakeholders, I have advised the department to stop the hosting of the South African Music Awards this year,” Duma said.

The MEC further denied the allegations of R28 million being put aside for the event, saying that “The R28 million and other figures being thrown around are part of a campaign of disinformation. This is aimed at sowing confusion,” Duma said, in an apparent response to Mncwango, who insisted that the provincial government wanted to fork out R28 million.

Mncwango welcomed the decision by the provincial government to cancel the SAMAs and thanked Duma for this decision.

“This is a victory for KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.

“It was through pressure from the public and the media that the provincial government has changed its mind,” Mncwango said.

Also read: eThekwini Municipality praised for development grant spending

However, the decision was also met with dismay by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA), the organiser of the SAMAs, who, in a statement, expressed their disappointment over the decision of the EDTEA’s last-minute decision to withdraw from the SAMAs.

“We note, with dismay, that a prestigious, credible and apolitical national cultural asset, which has been in operation for 29 uninterrupted years, longer than any other award ceremony in the country and continent at large, is now characterised as a conduit for looting,” said Nhlanhla Sibisi, the CEO of RiSA.

For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.