MBOMBELA – Landmarks such as the iconic soccer ball in Steiltes will be illuminated in red by AVS Hire tonight to highlight the crisis the events industry is facing because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kyle Nel, co-owner of AVS, said his company has 16 employees with 146 dependants.

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“Our industry has been forgotten to a degree. Subsequently we have been without sustainable work for almost five months. In fact, August 5 will mark five months,” he said.

On this day there will be a public stand taken with a campaign called #LightSARed. Everyone in the events industry is encouraged to light up a place or object in red and gather a national presence.
“With this campaign we are looking at a civil way to make our voices heard as a collective and to find a solution to a situation affecting many in a severe manner,” he said.

With this campaign the industry demands that government and financial institutions extend financial relief to those who earn a living in the technical production and live events industry, until they are permitted to resume work.

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It further demands that government engage with elected leaders within Southern African Communications Industries Association and the SA Events Council, and provides a platform for voices to be heard and that it recognises and supports the non-profit organisations that are trying to sustain destitute members of the technical production and live events industry.
Nel encouraged locals to join the campaign by lighting any object red, taking a photo and sharing it on social media using the #LightSARed.

To sign up and for more information, visit www.lightsared.org.za.