George pulls the plug on Steve Hofmeyr concert
RELENTING to pressure from the ANC, the George Municipality has pulled the plug on a planned performance at the town’s City Hall by controversial Afrikaans singer Steve Hofmeyr.
ANC provincial secretary Faiez Jacobs had called on the municipality to stop the concert from taking place, after they became aware that it was scheduled for next Thursday.
Chantel Edwards-Klose, the municipality’s communications director, said the George Municipality reserved the right in terms of official policy to cancel the leasing of any municipal facility, giving 48 hours’ prior written notice.
“In this instance, this right has been applied as the proposed event cannot be endorsed,” she said.
Jacobs said he unequivocally rejected and condemned the George Municipality’s promotion of Hofmeyr.
“We feel vindicated by the municipality’s decision. We are very happy about this and it showed that they listened to us and the community at large.
“We cannot allow racism to continue in this form. We fought against it and are still against it. We need social cohesion and nation-building programmes. People like Steve cannot be celebrated.”
He said they had called on the George Municipality to immediately cancel the concert, and disassociate itself from Hofmeyr in the way that sponsors like Pick n Pay, Land Rover and Absa had done in the past.
“The ANC was concerned that by allowing Hofmeyr to use the people’s City Hall, it tacitly endorses this phenomenon of racial discrimination targeting, in particular, people of African descent and coloured people.
“George Municipality must, within its ranks, investigate thoroughly the insensitivity of allowing this racist bigot to perform at an iconic venue in the middle of a city that is still rebuilding from its racist past.”
Leeza Mulder, Hofmeyr’s booking agent, said she was unaware of the cancellation when contacted for comment.
“I am not aware of this. The concert was meant for raising funds for a local school.”