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Upon a time, the phrase used to be…,

“Killing two birds with one stone.” Aw’ bakwethu! We have come to bear witness to two stones attempting to kill one South African Music Awards bird.

Of course, the bird itself has been flying too low. For a time, black CEOs or chairpersons have been at the helm of the Recording Industry of South Africa – owners of the SAMA property. Interesting to note is that, in that period, the private sector has not been gleaming streams of saliva salivating over the benefits of associating with the SAMA brand. Thus, the SAMAS have, over the years, heavily relied on financial backing from a government thought to be black. Anyway, let us leave race politics aside.

Surely You Heard Radio Presenter Linda Sibiya Speaking Nonsonso

WHAT WILL SAMA BE WITHOUT DRAMA, CONTROVERSY

Indeed, shall we remember Jabba with a remix of one of his lines, vele.., What will the SAMAS be without drama? Nothing ne, ane? Das right! After all, SAMAS are a massive cultural brand with broad appeal. According to Zwakele Mncwango, ActionSA KwaZulu-Natal chairperson, his party supports hosting the Sama Awards in eThekwini for its tourism spin-offs. But then again, the same silly Action SA iphinde ishaye inyoni ye SAMA nge skietrekker. Thwaa! Action SA sees the event as a vanity project not worthy of R53 million.

“We are opposed to the exorbitant reprioritisation of …,”

Pitting show business and arts with so-called more urgent needs is pointless. Boosting or driving economic activity through arts and showbiz is also an urgent need. In that regard, SAMAS make a meaningful contribution. A comprehensive spreadsheet, with detailed costs and gains thereof, should suffice. Stats and research information are already available to argue the case for national flagship events such as the SAMAS.

THE WORTH OF SAMA, ARTS AND SHOWBIZ – IN A BROADER SENSE

Alinah Motaung of PwC Entertainment and Media gets quoted by techcentral.co.za saying…,

‘The vast entertainment and media complex is growing more rapidly than the global economy. Each year, more people spend more time, attention and money on the complex.’ Then KwaZulu Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA )spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya has more. He points to an R5 billion injected into the provincial economy from hosting national and international events.The arts and showbiz contribution to society goes beyond the material benefits of ‘contribution to driving the economy.’

As a result, the government views the arts, culture and heritage sector as key players in its programme of action for social cohesion, sustainable job creation and ensuring social and economic development. Almost all races and tribes gather under the SAMA roof. There is tons of evidence to show Mncwango and his party are out of kilter to suggest spending on the SAMAS’ would be a misuse of funds. However, Mncwango is correct in raising concerns about transparency. Wasteful expenditure must stop. To a certain degree, EDTEA appears transparent. With its own openness, the Recording Industry of South Africa could further boost the case for the SAMAS where government spending is concerned. If na be true that R3 million was to get spent on goody bags, then.., Chai!!! Such would give weight to a statement made by Mncwango about a “vanity splurge.”

BLK SONSHINE TO BEAM ON SOME MIDDLE AGE ANGST FACES

ABOUT THAT OWN GOAL

Self-obsession of territorialists, short-sightedness, and impulsiveness are the bane of the showbiz and creative sectors in South Africa. Perhaps warranted are the grievances of CCIFSA (The Cultural and Creative Industries Federation Of South Africa) and artists in Durban.

However, something unsettles if it is a fact they demanded R3 million or nothing. SAMA apparently offered R750 000. The word is the impasse was supposed to get resolved this week. If the premature running to the media got meant to pressure RISA to bend a knee, then the strategy backfired. Losers are the entire chain in the various business sectors – meaning broadly artists, sound technicians, audiovisual professionals, stage designers, choreographers, fashion designers…, Add to the list, among other service providers in transport, leisure and catering. Going nowhere slowly, until honest self-reflection, is the arts, showbiz and creative sector.

So, the KwaZulu Natal Department of Economic Development was not in the wrong in its intentions to bankroll the South African Music Awards. As for Action SA.., make yourselves useful- in a sensible way.., Please!