Flood victims bash
CONCERT: FUNDRAISER AIMS TO MAKE R10 MILLION FOR SUFFERERS
Several organisations involved in music will stage the event.
Seven organisations in the cultural and creative sector have joined hands to stage a fund-raising benefit concert on 10 June for the communities affected by floods in KwaZulu-Natal.
The concert, which will have over 30 artists and will be held at Moses Mabhida Stadium, aims to attract about 20 000 people. It also aims to raise over R10 million through ticket sales and pledges.
This concert comes after the devastating floods, which claimed 435 lives, 54 reported missing, 55 injured, 6 278 left homeless, 17 438 households destroyed, 121 687 people affected and 7 490 people living in shelters.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala indicated that the R1 billion relief fund set aside was not enough to address the extent of the damage and devastation caused by the floods.
The National Arts Council (NAC); in partnership with the SABC; Gearhouse SA; Samro (Southern African Music Rights organisation); Capasso (Composers, Authors and Publishers Association); Sampra (South African Music Performance Rights Association); Ccifsa (Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa); Ccifsa KZN; Do More Foundation, and supported by several artists across South Africa, have heeded the call to action and are joining hands to stage the concert.
Commenting on why the NAC took the initiative, the council’s chair, Princess Celenhle Dlamini, said: “First, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to all families who have lost their loved ones, as well as those injured and who have lost so much.
“As an organisation, all we have is our arts and cultural currency, which is the artistic community that we serve. So it was natural that our contribution to the two affected provinces (KZN and Eastern Cape) could be made possible through bringing together the various arts industry organisations, artists, public and private sector to create this magical musical line-up. We hope this will bring hope, joy and healing,” Dlamini said.
All proceeds of the concert and monetary pledges will be given to a charity organisation agreed to between the parties and EThekwini Municipality. Echoing the same sentiments on why they also raised their hands and participated in this noble venture, Samro chair Nicholas Maweni said: “Throughout history musicians have been the voice of those in need, and in South Africa today there is no greater need than that of those affected by the catastrophic floods in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape.
“Samro is proud to be part of this initiative to raise awareness and garner aid for those impacted, and to support our members in being their voice,” Maweni said.
“As Africa’s leading Collective Management Organisation,
Sampra extends heartfelt condolences to friends and families who lost their loved ones, their homes and belongings in the floods that ravaged many homes in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Eastern Cape last month,” Maweni said.
“It is our sincere wish that proceeds from this benefit concert will assist families who have suffered loss. As Sampra, we are proud to be part of this selfless project whose sole objective is to assist affected families and communities to rebuild and recover from the devastating floods”, said CEO Pfanani Lishivha.
Without the technical expertise and audio-visual solution, a concert of this magnitude would not have been possible without the contribution by Gearhouse SA. The chair of Gearhouse Nkosinathi Biko expressed gratitude to be part of the initiative.
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