Local artists come together for KZN flood victims
ORGANISERS of the Arise Benefit Concert set for Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, on June 18 have set themselves a target of raising R10 million in ticket sales and pledges.
The concert is a relief response aimed at raising funds for victims of the recent floods in Durban.
The concert comes after the devastating floods that resulted in 435 people losing their lives, 54 reported missing, 55 injured, 6 278 left homeless, 17438 households destroyed, with a further 121687 people affected and 7490 people living in shelters.
Many surviving families are yet to locate family members who died during the devastation that has since been declared a national state of disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The effects of the floods on April 11 and 12, when parts of KwaZulu-Natal received between 200mm and 400mm of rainfall in a 24-hour period, are still being felt, with many businesses having stopped production in the aftermath.
Organisers say they were prompted to act after the provincial government and KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala called on individuals, civil society and other stakeholders to come forward as the R1billion relief fund set aside by the president was not sufficient to address the extent of the damage and devastation caused by the floods in parts of KZN and the Eastern Cape.
Speaking at the launch held at the M1 Studios at the SABC in Auckland Park yesterday, chairperson of the National Arts Council Princess Celenhle Dlamini said the coming together of music stakeholders was necessary in order to help the province rebuild its capacity to deliver essential services.
“Firstly, as the National Arts Council, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to all families who have lost their loved ones through this devastating period, as well as those injured and who have lost so much. We cannot even begin to imagine the grief, suffering and despair that the communities affected by these floods are enduring,” Dlamini said.
Dr Sipho Sithole, one of the organisers of the concert, said a call-out was sent to all SABC radio stations to contribute to the artists in the line-up.
“To ensure the line-up is reflective of the talent relevant to this event, we consulted with all the SABC radio stations. Even though we could not include everyone, we ensured that the 34 artists in the line-up are of the best standards,” Sithole said.
He said a further 17 artists and four MCs have been presented by DJ Boonu’s Doo More Foundation to perform on a parallel stage within the stadium precinct. Among those in the line-up are artists such as AKA, DJ Tira, Dlala Mshunqisi, Zonke, Babes Wodumo, Big Zulu, Zulu Boy, Dumi Mkokstad and Zakwe.
The concert is hosted alongside organisations such as the SABC, Gearhouse SA, SAMRO, CAPASSO, SAMPRA, CCIFSA, CCIFSA KZN, Doo More Foundation, and local artists who have agreed to be part of this social benefit concert.