Moot virtual concert in aid of stricken farmers
"The severe drought conditions and the crippling effects on our farming communities - especially in the Northern Cape - have affected us deeply."
Time is fast approaching for a cyber concert of the Moot to kick off all in aid of farmers in need.
This was according to Môregloed resident Lydia Veldman, who urged the public not to miss this concert from 24 to 27 July.
“In large parts of the drought-stricken Northern Cape and surrounding regions, it has started to rain, but the need is even greater now than before,” she said.
“It does not rain feed and pasture, it does not rain school fees and food on the table.”
Lydia and her husband Frik decided to do something about it. Three concerts in their area were planned with local talent to raise funds.
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However, with the Covid-19 outbreak and the national lockdown, the planned concerts had to be put on hold. But that did not stop them; the concerts will now be presented online.
“Here we are again, with greater excitement,” she said. Lydia said several local artists offered their talents free of charge.”
“Everyone wants to help make a difference,” she said.
She said the entrance fee was a donation of the viewer?s choice.
“A minimum of R50 for the ticket – and you donate an additional amount at your discretion,” she said.
“Except for Tixsa’s cost of putting the event on the air, every penny will be paid directly to farmers.”
“The severe drought conditions and the crippling effects on our farming communities – especially in the Northern Cape – have affected us deeply,” she said.
“With my bubbling initiative, I got involved in the ‘Box-for-a-Boer woman’ project earlier.”
But it was her musical talent that made her think of concerts for the sake of drought relief.
“We have the support of Moot for Christ Forum, which brings together churches in the area, for the project,” she said.
“In addition, the TAU (Transvaal Agricultural Union), with general manager Bennie van Zyl, is on board to help us get the funds to the farmers at no additional cost.”
She said local artists have been a great inspiration from the beginning.
“One after another asked, ‘Can I be a part of it too’.
“And no effort was spared to simply give their talents to a good cause,” she said.
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Meanwhile, the support of artists has spread wider and it was believed this new platform would help give new momentum to relief efforts.
“The gruelling drought has been going on for some six or seven years in some parts, resulting in farmers experiencing extreme distress with cash shortages, and the recovery is going to take years,” she said.
Lydia can be reached at lydiaveldman6@gmail.com.
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