Cape Town – The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) has reportedly cancelled its controversial R20 million sponsorship of the South African Music Awards (Samas).
Edtea had initially applied for an administrative transfer of funds to raise R28 million for hosting the awards but later reduced it to R20 million, Times Live reported.
This decision was made following consultations with various stakeholders and the advice of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was concerned about maintaining fiscal discipline.
BREAKING: KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Siboniso Duma, say they have decided to cancel the hosting of next month’s South African Music Awards. This follows an outcry over the money to be spent. Duma denies that the figure is R28 million.
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) October 25, 2023
“As an executive authority, having consulted widely with the executive council and other stakeholders I have advised the department to stop the hosting of the South African Music Awards this year,” the report quoted Edtea MEC Siboniso Duma as saying on Wednesday.
According to IOL, Duma added: “Senior management has been mandated to engage with the Recording Industry of South Africa and report back to me as an executive authority,” he said.
“We will also report to the KZN Executive Council as the hosting of the Sama Awards was a collective decision.”
The cancellation of the sponsorship is a disappointment for artists who relied on the awards as a source of income, especially during the Covid-19 outbreak.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
