Local performing artists have vented their frustrations as the national lockdown enters into another month.
Uzalo actor, Siyabonga Shibe, said the life of an artist is a sad story and took to his social media to explain the fight faced by various artists.
Shibe raised his concerns following the department of sports, arts and culture’s announcement to contribute to the sports industry.
“Arts should be independent from sports. Combining Sports Art and Culture doesn’t work for us artists (sic). Most of the money goes to Sports anyway. We talk about this year in year out. Sad story for us,” wrote Shibe on Instagram.
The actor, known for his role as Qhabanga, on popular SABC1 soapie Uzalo, said in a seven minute video: “The government doesn’t care… This COVID-19 has destroyed us a lot… we try by all means to make South Africa proud of us as artists. We portray our stories, our culture, we sell our culture to the world and we try to make a living out of that.”
Shibe’s plea was for the government to separate the sports and arts departments.
“When things are like this, what must happen? What must happen in South Africa? Artists [are] a sad story. They need us when it’s convenient for them, to address their messages,” said Shibe.
Durban musician, Lvovo, echoed Shibe’s sentiments that artists have not been considered during this lockdown period.
Lvovo suggested that there should be an artist relief fund that would assist artists financially.
Watch the video below:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_wukBElpp0/
