#KeepTheArtsPure Black Motion and AKA sign letter to Minister
#KeepTheArtsPure aims to address several issues regarding Arts and Culture in South Africa like events.
An open letter addressed to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthathwe by The Tshwane Entertainment Collective started gaining traction this week after being co-signed by major South African artists like AKA and Black Motion.
The letter, published under the hashtag #KeepTheArtsPure, addresses several issues pertaining to the Arts, including why international organisations are easily funded with the state’s money to host festivals and events while local organisations aren’t afforded the same privilege.
The letter starts by highlighting the minister’s job description and the department’s mission to “develop, preserve, protect and promote arts, culture and heritage” as well as the department’s commitment to core values based on the principles of Batho-Pele.
With this canvas, the letter then delves into how the minister and the department have failed to do so.
Africa Unite
The crux of the letter pertains to the Africa Unite concert taking place in Pretoria later this month. Although parts of proceeds will go towards the victims of South Africa’s recent xenophobic violence towards African foreign nationals in hopes of ‘breaking bread,’ SA artists are against Nigerian artist ‘Burna Boy’ being on the bill following a heated Twitter exchange with AKA.
The letter reads:
“Not only did he spread falsehoods through his extensive platforms, he literally incited violence and hate. He further promised to inflict his own violence on locals before giving your government an ultimatum which you seem to have received and succumbed to.”
Read the full letter below.
#ArtsAndCulture#KeepTheArtsPure @NathiMthethwaSA pic.twitter.com/qiNNu4FTjb
— Black Motion (@black_motion) November 11, 2019
Watch The Tshwane Entertainment Collective speak more on the #KeepTheArtsPure matter below.
[youtube_sc url=”https://youtu.be/Xtnr3eXrsyA”]Sourced
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