Artists vow to continue NAC sit-in despite court order ewn.co.za - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ewn.co.za Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
GATVOL ARTISTS PROTEST!
Comments Saftu members joined artists outside the National Arts Council offices in Newtown, Joburg, to demand the R300m relief fund to be paid out to struggling artists. Photo by Lucky Morajane.
ARTISTS have taken their frustration to the doors of the National Arts Council (NAC).
The struggling artists, together with the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) picketed outside the NAC’s offices in Newtown, Joburg, because the much-awaited R300 million relief fund has failed to make its way into their pockets.
“The NAC management, including its board, have been lying to the industry. They went to the media and said they had spent R75 million and that by 31 March the council would have dispersed 75% of the total amount but that has not happened,” said artist Thami Mbongo.
In a desperate attempt for answers from the National Arts Council, about 20 artists began a sit-in on Wednesday, 3 March at the National Arts Council offices in Newtown, Johannesburg, demanding answers about the R300-million Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme.
Mercy Pakela (centre) is angry at the National Arts Council and says it has undermined the integrity of artists who have been affected by the lockdown. Pakela has accused the NAC of being corrupt and wants it to be held accountable. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)
Two days earlier, on Monday, 1 March, opera star Sibongile Mngoma was among those who had sought answers from the NAC. Mngoma said she was dissatisfied with the answers given. She returned on Wednesday, with actor Thami Mbongo and others. They then decided to embark on a sit-in.