Times Of Swaziland: SOCIAL MEDIA USERS DIVIDED OVER MUSIC FESTIVALS

SOCIAL MEDIA USERS DIVIDED OVER MUSIC FESTIVALS
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BY NONDUMISO MSIBI on 01/11/2021 08:17:00


MBABANE - It’s not a secret that the internet loves scandal.
Rewind to the past 72hours, when one of Eswatini’s most loved festivals was
launched, how the internet almost came to a stand still because of the different
views. The bone of contention emanated from one twitter user who blasted artists
and event organisers for choosing to honour an invitation for performing at  an
upcoming festival and also the event organisers for hosting the festival when
the situation  things are still not ‘normal’ in the country. Some of the
comments cannot be included because of their defamatory nature. Another user
went on to add that in as much as they understood that the artists were trying
to put food on the table, why haven’t they shown support for the struggle?
However, this was met with differing views as some twitter users felt that the
artists were unfairly judged in this case, since the arts sector had been one of
the most affected industries with over 18 months of no income and still counting
for other local artists; all this owing to the harsh economic repercussions
brought by the coronavirus pandemic. It is worth noting that since gatherings in
the country are only restricted to 500 people for outdoor events, with a curfew
of 9pm, something which event organisers have cried foul over, citing that it
was nearly impossible to make profits under these circumstances.
bullying
We all have different opinions, the problem starts when we feel our opinion is
worth more than what anyone else is saying. But the real question here is who
wins when there’s a boycott of the arts?  In as much as some social media
users have labelled this as ‘cyberbullying’, some feel giving it labels is
victimising the very people who should be on the forefront of he calls for
change.
What is this cyberbullying? It is bullying that takes place over digital devices
like cellphones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS,
Text, and apps, or online on social media, forums, or gaming where people can
view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting,
or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can
include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing
embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful
or criminal behaviour.
Co-founder of Antidote Music, Talent manager and Cultural Entrepreneur, Mmely
Hlanze, when sought for comment regarding this issue said he felt infuriated
that local artists were always the low hanging fruit. “Are people now going to
boycott the institution that is hosting the festival? Are you going to boycott
the same body that employs you? Why should artists always be an easy target as
these are the same people who were without an income for over 18 months and now
people are telling them to say no to an income? It does not make sense!” he
said.
He went on to say that he did not like the tendency of selective outrage which
was always directed at local artists who use their craft as a means to feed
their families. “Are we really at that point where because we differ in our
views that one must suffer and starve because of differing political views,”
he asked. While some users acknowledged the fact that they understand why local
creatives would jump at the chance of being part of the festival they felt it
was still too soon to go out and be ‘jolly’. “Off course in such instances
it is the so called ‘middle-class’ that will be doing the gate keeping.
History has no blank pages, “he tweeted.
One of the local artists that was revealed to be part of the line-up for the
upcoming festival said they felt the banter was not necessary.
Draw
“Should we now starve because we will look like we don’t care about what is
happening in our country?”, where do we draw the line in this because it’s
starting to feel like we are bullied towards choosing a side,” the artist
said. They went on to say; “First and foremost, I love and respect all my
supporters. I will always perform anywhere on this planet as long as the one who
called me gives me a green light. It must be clear to everyone that I am a
musician and not a politician. A musician is free to be booked to perform
anywhere,” they said.