R2.2m ‘too little’ for D&D festival

SANDI KWON HOO SANDI.KWONHOO@ACM.CO.ZA

LOCAL business owners believe that the R2.2 million that has been allocated to the Diamonds and Dorings Music Festival is not sufficient to host a fully-fledged event.

The Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will contribute R1.5 million through its flagship funding programme for the event, which will be held at Langley Pleasure Resort from March 31 to April 1.

The cash-strapped Sol Plaatje Municipality will set aside R750 000 towards the event, despite council being advised last week that there would be no financial implications to reviving the event.

The Northern Cape Arts and Culture Council this week invited businesses to submit proposals to host the event before the closing date on February 20.

The bidding company will be required to self-fund the hosting costs and will be responsible for sourcing artists to perform at the main festival, marketing and the overall project management and events management.

Local events organisers said that the available budget would only be enough to cover the costs of one artist and sound and stage lighting expenses.

“We may end up making a loss,” they said. “You cannot do much with R2.2 million, unless you have your own sponsors. Having one artist perform does not amount to a music festival. What is the use of hosting the festival if there aren’t enough funds?”

Some service providers said that they would submit bids with the hope that the funding would be increased.

“It cost around R8 million to host the Diamonds and Dorings Festival in 2019. However, with cost escalations and inflation, about R10 million is needed to organise a festival of this magnitude now.”

A reggae artist, Rufus Mokunupi, aka Rufaro, added that local musicians had nothing to gain from the festival.

“I am a provincial heritage recipient and I have recorded three albums that are played on national radio stations Yet only friends and acquaintances of the promoters are hired,” said Mokunupi.