LOCAL ENTERTAINERS CONSIDER INTERNATIONAL BOOKINGS

MBABANE – Options. With only a week passed after the Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini announced the gradual opening of events, some local entertainers have revealed a preference to seek gigs outside of the country’s shores.

This is with regard to the maximum number of people, who can attend a single event, which was set at 100. 

The argument shared by some of the entertainers subsequent to the announcement was that government should have considered the capacity of the venue especially for outdoor events. These activities include theatre, comedy shows, poetry shows, fashion shows, small scale choral music, small scale music concerts, small scale launches, cinemas as well as museums and art galleries.

Upon the opening of the arts sector, which was on October 12 through a virtual press conference Dlamini said government would not hesitate to close non-complying events, in relation to the COVID-19 regulations.

applied

He also shared that only events that had applied for and received an Entertainment Activity Hosting Compliance Certificate (EAHCC) from the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs through the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) would be granted permission to go ahead.  

With this, some local entertainers have been considering performing internationally especially since the borders were opened on October 1 with the necessary guidelines. 

Renowned local DJ TOS, who has affiliations with DJ Tira’s Afrotainment stable based in Durban, South Africa said although he would love to bag more local gigs, he enjoyed performing internationally.

“I have my Afrotainment family calling me every second day asking me to come back because I obviously have a role to play with them,” he revealed. 

capacity

He also shared that South Africa was showing other countries the way to go and that he was hoping that the Eswatini government would eventually allow for 50 per cent capacity as the 100 people was too small considering the costs they endured when planning an event.

“With 100 patrons one cannot break-even, but as we observe protocols and comply with the COVID-19 regulations, I am convinced that our government will allow for more numbers to attend like they did with church services,” said TOS. 

Laughter

Spokesperson for the Merchants of Bottomless Laughter, which is a new trade name for Smallz the Comedian and Co, Mzameni Mpanza said before, the lockdown, they had drawn an extensive tour of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, so the allowed number in South Africa gave them the perfect chance re-visit those plans.

“We most certainly will be rolling out, at the same time not necessarily abandoning our local market, who themselves are an integral part of our movement. We fortunately have the perfect strategy to work around the audience number allowances and related regulations here,” he said.

performed

A local DJ, who preferred anonymity, revealed that he was actually in South Africa currently securing the bag and had already performed at two different venues.

“Seeking gigs in South Africa is better if you are fortunate enough to receive daytime slots as compared to evenings because the venues close at midnight,” he said. 

During a workshop for local artists held last week Wednesday ENCAC CEO said as a council they were working around the clock to get government to increase the numbers to be hosted at events.

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