Plight of entertainment industry recognised as country goes red
“Our aim is for government and financial institutions to extend financial relief to those who earn a living in the technical production and live events industry.”
The plight of entertainers, technical production staff and the live events industry was highlighted as the country went red for the #LightSARed movement’s campaign on Wednesday.
Thousands of people participated in the movement. The past five months were rough for entertainers, technical production staff and the live events industry not being able to get an income due to the ban on events occasioned by Covid-19.
“It went beyond our expectations. We achieved what was intended,” the movement’s spokesperson Sharif Baker told Rekord.
Baker said although numbers of those who participated in the nationwide would only be finalised at the weekend, the hashtag trended at number three of social media platform Twitter and a viewership of 90 000 was recorded during the live stream broadcast on the movement’s website.
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The campaign saw those affected, individuals, companies, politicians and many others taking to social media to sharing pictures, including buildings, gardens, mountains and even statues which were lit in red with the hashtag #LightSARed.
In a statement issued prior to the campaign, the movement said the events industry was dying and people in the industry were being ignored.
“Our aim is for government and financial institutions to extend financial relief to those who earn a living in the technical production and live events industry until we are permitted to resume work.
“In addition, we need the South African government to engage with elected leaders with Sacia (SA Communications Industries Association) and the SA events council and provide a platform for our voices to be heard,” the statement said.
The movement continued to demand that government recognises and supports NPOs which were trying to sustain destitute members of the technical production and live events industry.
“The events industry is aboard a sinking ship and we are headed for the rocks. Help us light the warning beacon and #LightSARed to remind government and private industry just how much is at stake,” the movement said.
Our industry is suffering, to all the technicians, sound engineers, lighting technicians, security guards and everyone else in the events/hospitality industry, we are with you ❤️ #LightSARed pic.twitter.com/rvO3vg1sj9
— SHIMZA (@Shimza01) August 5, 2020
We pay Tax, we contribute ti the social welfare of this kountry . Kreators of doof doof.we help make people sane. We are the plug!If you have been to any event in SA please stand with us as we plead to our government for. Events industry is dying #LightSAred pic.twitter.com/1T29PmgPSE
— Lucky_kilur (@Lucky_kilur) August 5, 2020
Table Mountain looking spectacular on this iconic evening #Lightsared and save the Live Events Industry pic.twitter.com/qrHAjISUX7
— LightSAred_Official (@LightsaredO) August 5, 2020
#LightSAred this is the colour of my space tonight ❤️ God we pray for all those in the industry servierly affected at these times .. please visit https://t.co/OICs0ir09c for more info ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/oYJfdOtXKH
— SHEKHINAH (@shekhinahd) August 5, 2020
I stand with my brothers & Sisters in the entertainment industry.
Artists, DJ’s, the roadies, the sound and lighting technicians, the club promoters, who have been devastated as a result of five months of NO EVENTS= NO INCOME! #lightsarered #LightSAred 🩸 pic.twitter.com/WsQesniSYx— leratokganyago (@Leratokganyago) August 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/Thando_Thabethe/status/1291077008697556992
My squad showed up, and showed off! #LightSAred pic.twitter.com/A72kKKzpx6
— Authi yaPitori (@kabelo_mabena1) August 5, 2020
Similar initiatives were said to have been conducted previously internationally.
In these initiatives, buildings, monuments, landmarks, empty theatres and many more were illuminated in “emergency red” to highlight the challenges those in the live events, music and performing arts sectors faced.
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