POLOKWANE – Local artists have been complaining for some time now about the support they get from the local government and this led to a number of marches in the province.

It is alleged that preference is always given to well-established artists from other provinces and local artists are always on standby in case one of the top artists decide to pull-out in the last minute.

Review got to speak to Sido and Manana about the struggle local artists go through.

Sido Mogano and Manana Nyama are also known as the power couple in the province since they are in a relationship and do almost everything together.

Manana explained that 2016 was a hectic year and a lot of artists struggled but things were a bit better than the previous years as there is a new cabinet. She said artists don’t need a verbal support but rather a financial support.

She said they don’t understand why local artists are always told that there is no budget whereas the local government can afford to pay top artists in the country.

She added that the local government is nothing without local artists hence they should prioritise local artists when there is a music festival in the province. “We don’t want to take things to social media hence we expect the government to support us. When the event is in our province it means it bellows to the people of Limpopo not outsiders,” she explained.

She further pleaded with the local government to change the way things are done and support local artists financially.

Watch Sido and Manana talk about the industry, below:

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