AKUFE LOFAKO -MZWAKHE MYENI

MBABANE - ‘akufe lofako’.  The above phrase, was said by local well-known gospel artist Mzwakhe Myeni, in an interview with the Entertainment Desk.
 He said he was giving government a 14-day ultimatum to give artists a relief strategy on how best they can assist in these COVID-19 pandemic times.
 It is worth noting that social events or rather gatherings were banned to curb the spread of COVID-19.
 Myeni, who is also an owner of a music stable called ‘Ezomoya Production’, which has over 44 local artists said they would start hosting  events if government did not respond in 14 days.

He said he felt like the government  not considering them as there were local artists who made a living through their talent.
 “A few days back, government eased the partial lockdown, opening some businesses. The entertainment sector was not included yet there are some artists who earn a living through performances,” he said.

Myeni added that the pandemic has affected most local artists and was worried that they would die of poverty.
 “The coronavirus will not be the death of us but poverty will.

The government encourages us to stay at home yet we cannot put food on the table. some of us are in debts and most of our assets are being repossessed as we cannot settle our bills. Government needs to come up with a suitable strategy or else we will go to halls and host events, ‘akufe lofako, basibophe’,” he said.
 He also shared that they had submitted queries to government but to this day, they haven’t gotten any responses.

innovative

Myeni said it was ideal for artists or rather people in the art industry to get relief funds and get their royalties, for artists to make ends meet, while they come up with other innovative ways of making an income.
 “We are frustrated yet we also contribute to the economy of the country. why are we not considered? I do not understand why people are silent as we have a lot of artists in the country,” he said.

Local gospel musician Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane, who also serves as Siphofaneni Member of Parliament concurred with Mnyeni’s concerns but was against the hosting of events.
 He said the pandemic has affected the entertainment industry and would test artists’ character as some might be tempted to break the law in order for them to be able to put food on the table.

 “Government must embrace the entertainment sector, it needs to dig deep as a lot is not well. I can say that the country is vulnerable; the pandemic will test some of the local artists’ characters. A hungry man is a dangerous man, they now cannot feed themselves or put food on the table.

 government

“At the same time we should also acknowledge that government is not financially fit,” he said.
 Chief Executive Officer of the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture Stanley Dlamini said they had received formal letters from the Association of Christian artists in Eswatini (ECAESWA)  and the Eswatini Arts and Music Association (SWAMA), which they had responded to.

 He also noted that they were working on strategies to help revive the entertainment sector.
 Dlamini was also against the idea of hosting event and noted that government has only allowed 30 per cent gatherings for churches.

 The Communications Officer of the ministry of Sports Culture and Youth Affairs, Sibongiseni Zondi reminded people on how they could share their concerns through their respective associations.
 “ The associations report to the ministry, people can share their grievances through their associations, ” he said.
 
 

 
 

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