The Ministry of Arts and Culture, the Creative Workers Union of South Africa (CWUSA) and the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) South Africa today again met to discuss the Official kickoff concert for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
After a frank, fruitful two hours meeting in Sandton, Johannesburg, led by Arts and Culture Minister, Ms Lulu Xingwana, LOC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Danny Jordaan and CWUSA President, Mabutho Sithole, all three parties agreed on the need for the inclusion of additional South African artists in the line up for the concert at Soweto's Orlando stadium on 10 June 2010.
The following agreements were reached by the meeting:
* The South African Music Promoters Association (SAMPA) would work together with the Los Angeles based Control Room company that is staging the concert to satisfy Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) concerns. SAMPA would have a line of communication with Control Room.
* More artists would be included in the 10 June concert line up so that it should be more representative and reflect gender and demographic concerns. No names will be publicly announced until contracts are signed with the artists.
* There would be further engagement on the arts and culture components at fan parks and public viewing areas to make this a truly African arts and culture experience. A meeting with the 2010 host cities will be held to consolidate this engagement.
"I'm satisfied with the outcome of this meeting. It is to the benefit of arts and culture in this country. I am glad that all stakeholders could agree on a way forward and on the principle of greater representation of South African and African artists on this major global platform to be held on South African soil. I want to commend all parties for the manner in which they conducted the discussions," said Minister Xingwana.
"We had a very constructive meeting today with Minister Xingwana and CWUSA. We've always maintained that incredibly talented South African and African music industry will play a major part in the tournament's off field success and character.
"So, we are certainly very supportive of South African artists using the tournament's considerable platform to showcase their talents and we will continue to constructively engage with CWUSA in this regard," said Dr
Danny Jordaan.
CWUSA President Mr Mabutho Sithole said: "A very constructive meeting was held and the ministry must be commended for heeding the call of the local industry on this matter. We have taken one small step but we are hopeful that this dialogue will continue so that we optimise opportunities for our sector. In light of the agreements reached at this meeting, CWUSA therefore calls off its intended march on 15 April 2010."
For further enquiries contact:
Lisa Combrinck
Cell: 082 821 4886
Jermaine Craig
Cell: 083 2010 121
Sipiwo Matshoba
Cell: 082 939 3798
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
14 April 2010
