Some SA artists won’t be paid for World Cup gig
2010-06-10 16:41
The local artists who were only recently added to the line-up of
tonight’s Fifa Kick-off Concert, will apparently not be paid for performing at
the show.
According to sources who spoke to City Press, the artists were told
that there was no money because the organisers had budgeted for artists who had
originally been part of the line-up.
The local artists are Goldfish, Lira, Loyiso Bala, Kwani
Experience, Steadyrock, Tumi Molekane and 340ml.
One source said: “The organisers said that they were forced to add
more artists and that they did not have a budget to pay, so these artists will
perform without compensation.”
A second source
confirmed this to be the case.
Some of the
artists City Press spoke to said they were willing to perform because of the
prestigious nature of the concert and the exposure they would get.
Others refused to
comment, citing confidentiality.
The show will be broadcast to
millions of people around the world, but these artists will only perform before
the prime time slot, which will not be broadcast.
Kwaito star Arthur Mafokate said he sympathised with the local
artists, but believed that many musicians, if given the opportunity to perform
at the kickoff concert for no pay, would welcome the opportunity.
People’s poet Mzwakhe Mbuli said: “If it’s true that the artists
are not going to be paid while others will get paid, then this is
exploitation.”
The concert’s publicity officer, Penny Stein, and Fifa failed to
respond to queries from City Press.