We were abused- Siyavutsa group
MANZINI – The Siyavusta Dance group, a breakaway team from the Mantenga Cultural Village group claims that they were being abused by the director of the Mantenga Cultural Village, Jan Lombard.
The group’s project manager, Banele Dlamini said this at a press conference held at the Swaziland National Council of Arts and Culture offices in Manzini.
"The director of the village abused us for his own monetary benefit," said Dlamini who elaborated by saying Lombard was not interested in their welfare and they felt their nationality was compromised.
Dlamini said the ideals of the group were centred around promoting Swazi culture of which it seemed Lombard was not interested in.
He went on to say they would go for performances overseas and not receive a cent from the director as an allowance which they needed.
"In some instances, the hosts would cater for accommodation and we would not have money to buy food and were expected to fend for ourselves," he said.
He went on to say, "We were abused for 3-4years while we were under his employ." He added that they left for France last year where they had to perform for three months and were not paid a cent upon return. "This was the final straw for us as we individually left the group and also stopped working there on different occasions," he said.
Another member of the group, Bheki Ngangenyoni Dlamini, echoed the project manager’s words and said they could not take the treatment anymore. "Our welfare was not considered. What he cared about was us performing and making the people happy so they could pay him," he said. The dancers were also employees of the village and would not get paid if they were away on for performances abroad.
The group recently left the country for China under a cloud of controversy which was caused by the Mantenga Cultural group. The director of the Cultural Village Jan Lombard is based in South Africa and was not available for comment.
The cultural village manager, Dudu Ngomane was also not available.
‘Mantenga trying to bring us down’
MANZINI – The Siyavusta Dance group has said that the Mantenga Cultural group directors should refrain from trying to bring them down just because they fear competition.
This they said was apparent in the way they have always tried to tarnish their image ever since the group was formed last year.
"They went to a lot of extremes trying to stop us from performing in China because they were jealous," said a member, Bheki Dlamini.
"They feel they own us which is not the case," he went on.
They say the reason why they parted ways with the Mantenga Cultural Village is because they felt they institution sidelined the other members by retrenching them when they expressed themselves on the institution’s failure to pay them. "We have so many examples of people among us that were retrenched because they demanded what was rightfully theirs, their salaries," said Dlamini.
...SNCAC says group did bid farewell
MANZINI – SNCAC CEO, Stanley Dlamini has called upon the Mantenga Cultural Village director to withdraw his statement that the group left without bidding anyone farewell.
Dlamini said anyone who wanted to bid the group farewell was present on the day when they left for China.
"We were all there, the council presented the group with traditional attire and the Swazi National flag," he said. "I don t understand when I read statements that the group left without bidding anyone farewell," he said.
He said the group wrote letters to the relevant people and ministries which included the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs and many ministries requesting permission.
del.icio.us |
Digg
Post your comment 
https://zencortex.colibrim.ca I was suggested this website by my cousin. I'm not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my trouble. You're wonderful! Thanks! https://zencortex.colibrim.ca
on
16/10/2024 11:47:32
https://fitspresso.colibrim.ca Hi there to every one, since I am truly eager of reading this website's post to be updated daily. It consists of nice data. https://fitspresso.colibrim.ca
on
16/10/2024 05:03:21
LeonardQuora
on
16/10/2024 04:31:08
https://zencortex.colibrim.ca I am really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it's rare to see a great blog like
on
16/10/2024 02:57:17
RandyFaimb
on
16/10/2024 01:02:23