No E10 000 for gospel artists

MBABANE – The wish by gospel artists of being paid at least E10 000 for their performances at this year’s Trade Fair has not been granted. 

The artists are under the Association of Christian Artists in Swaziland (ACASWA), threatened to boycott the festival scheduled for September 8, 2013 as they felt they were not paid enough.

Performing

They had mentioned that the money they got for performing at the Trade Fair previously was very little.  They proposed that they be given a sum of not less than E10 000 for them to perform.
The artists asked their executive committee led by Dumisani Manana to inform the Trade Fair Committee on their decision.
During a meeting between ACASWA and the Trade Fair committee, Manana formally tabled the artists’ request and told the committee how the artists had reached the decision of boycotting the festival.

Subvention

The committee explained that they had no subvention and therefore it was difficult for them to pay the artists from their own coffers.
The committee then asked that they look at the issue of reducing the percentage they take from the gate takings something that ACASWA executive had no problem with.
This means that instead of taking 40 per cent from the gate takings, the Trade Fair will now take 25 per cent and leave the rest for the artists.
The executive then asked to be given an opportunity of going to brief the artists on the outcome of the meeting.

Offer

The executive is said to have met some of the artists expected to perform on Thursday where the offer from the committee was tabled.
During the meeting, artists agreed on the committee’s proposal as they felt they were now going to get a better pay from the gate takings.
Dumisani Manana, ACASWA President confirmed having reached an agreement with the Trade Fair organisers.

“Initially the artists wanted to get a payment upfront but after our discussion with the Trade Fair organisers, it was agreed the money they are deducting from the gate takings is reduced. I have already briefed the artists and they have agreed to the offer,” he said.
Manana said in future, they would engage the committee as early as possible in order to avoid such issues.
“It is important for the artists to be taken seriously. It is the reason why we took their decision to the committee and told them how unhappy the artists were. 

Understanding

“I must thank the artists for understanding and also accepting the offer as their fans are expecting them on stage on this day,” he said.
Manana assured the public that all the artists that have been included in the festival’s line up will certainly be performing on this day.
“I invite all gospel music fans to come in their numbers as we will be giving out the best gospel music on this day.
“All the artists will be performing live. I can assure our fans of the best gospel Sunday,” he said.

Promising

Newman Ntjangase, one of the Trade Fair organisers also confirmed that they had reached an agreement with ACASWA promising the best festival.
“The only thing that is left is for ACASWA to sign their contract but I can safely say that everything is in place.
“We have agreed with ACASWA and I believe they are happy with the agreement we made.  I would encourage the public to come in their numbers as all the artists have confirmed that they would be present on this day,” he said.

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