It has been five months since South Africa has gone into lockdown and just as most of us are feeling the effects, the events industry has also suffered immensely.

In March a ban was put on all events to stop the spread of Covid-19, which meant that a range of people and companies – from artists to freelancers, theatres and venues, equipment suppliers and various other trades within – have lost the opportunity to earn a living. Suppliers have been relying on the government TERS fund to pay salaries and few have managed to benefit from it.

Freelancers have been left in the lurch and although a few stakeholders in the industry have established temporary relief funds to make it possible for these people to survive, little is known about the future for all involved in the industry.

After five months without any answer from government about their future, many fear that the industry is heading towards collapse.

That is why, on 5 August, they aim to draw government’s attention to this crisis by standing up to #LightSAred and make their voices heard. They are calling on all South Africans to join the protest by lighting up any object in red.

For more information on how you can get involved, visit www.lightsared.org.za.