Times Of Swaziland: ARTS SECTOR AFFILIATES URGED TO ‘JOVEL’ INDUSTRY’ TODAY

ARTS SECTOR AFFILIATES URGED TO ‘JOVEL’ INDUSTRY’ TODAY
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BY MMELI MKWANAZI on 15/09/2021 08:36:00


MBABANE – The COVID-19 vaccination drive dubbed ‘Jovel’Industry’
campaign has announced a date change.
This was confirmed by Swazi Boy entertainment stable founder Mthunzi
‘Shadow’ Zwane. The campaign was slated to kick-start on Thursday (September
16, 2021) but has since been changed to be held today (September 15, 2021).
Asked on what purported the date change, Zwane said it was largely because on
Thursday, it was forecasted to be a rainy day hence it would prove futile for
the planned mass inoculation as intended. “We want to start the manifesto on a
good note so we do not want our efforts to be dampened by the rain as we intend
to have thousands of emaSwati to vaccinate,” he said. He went on to insist and
urge everyone that is affiliated within the sports and recreational sector
including comedians, actors, musicians, fashion designers, make-up artists,
athletes, footballers and most importantly fans to vaccinate in order for the
industry’s restrictions to be lifted.
support
He mentioned that the fans were their priority as they are the ones who support
the industry by filling up the stadiums and in the case of events, patrons are
the ones who buy the tickets. The campaign will commence today at Business
Eswatini headquarters from 10 am at Malagwane Hill. Other vaccination dates will
be announced as the campaign continues. The COVID-19 vaccine has thus far proven
to be an effective measure to control the spread and the unpleasant effects of
the virus which has spared no one, including the business sector. Most
businesses were placed on restrictions which led to a significant number of them
being closed down and together with a number of jobs under threat. In Eswatini,
the hospitality, sports and entertainment industries have been placed on a
protracted restriction leading to heavy losses which cannot be sustained into
the future. This phenomenon has caused a lot of anguish for the industry players
and it is very frustrating as most artists have been without an income for close
to two years.
Zwane went on to add that due to the repercussions imposed by the COVID-19
pandemic, all players of the industry needed to come together and promote
vaccine acceptance among themselves and their music lovers. “If the industry
waits, it loses time and opportunities to reach the collective goal of herd
immunity where all restrictions will be relaxed to allow the industry to breathe
again,” he said.
recreational
Artists and other key players in the recreational sector that have since
vaccinated include Sands, Symphony, Bholoja, Lyrikal Busta, Mdura, Dr Shakes,
Gogo Eswatini, Felix Badernhost (Swallows), Mzoro (Leopards), Mthunzi Dlamini
(Wanderers), Ur Gal Zee (influencer), Khosi S(Makeup Artist), Ms Thuthu
(Influencer), Sakhile Simelane (Model), Thembinkosi Mtetwa ( actor), Zulu D(dj),
Waffles (dj), SUPA CDQ (dj), Mistosoul (dj), Melusi Skyfall (Influencer), Tiitee
McBubbles ( Influencer), Caramel Dank(Influencer), Gciniwe Fakudze (corporate),
Phathizwe (TV personality), Thabile Maripe (celebrity chef),     Notsile
Nkambule ( author), Tandzile Zwane( Author), Lwazi Tsela (Fine artist), Darren
Raw (businessman), Chester Eswatini (UNESWA FM) and Njabu Mabu ( UNESWA FM) to
name a few. This publication spoke to MegaSound’s Samkelo Zulu who is renowned
as Zulu D further urged members of the public to vaccinate in order for the
restrictions to be lifted once more, making it possible for the events to be
hosted once more. Comedian Dr Shakes narrated how as entertainers they missed
performing on stage. He also echoed Zulu’s words as he said he received his
jab and he is still perfectly fine.