‘Artists should not accept low rates’

SPORT, Arts and Culture minister Andrew Langa has urged artistes to reject low payment rates for their services since they are in a fully recognised profession.

SPORT, Arts and Culture minister Andrew Langa has urged artistes to reject low payment rates for their services since they are in a fully recognised profession.

THANDIWE MOYO OWN CORRESPONDENT

Addressing artistes that performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the just-ended African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games in Bulawayo on Monday, Langa said artistes should not accept anything less than what they believed to be their worth.

SPORT, Arts and Culture minister Andrew Langa
SPORT, Arts and Culture minister Andrew Langa

“You should not be used; this is your job. You will find that some companies hire artistes from different places, but they are always paid different rates. We do not want that. Pay artistes the same way so that they also grow their profession. Do you think it is proper that after working so hard, a person should not be paid properly?” Langa quipped.

Langa compared South African artistes with local performers saying there were huge disparities between the two as the former were highly recognised in their country.

iyasa
iyasa

Langa held a luncheon for artistes that performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the games. They included Siyaya, Iyasa, Umkhathi Theatre Works, Vocal Ex, Simunye Simunye, Jeys Marabini and Sandra Ndebele, Black Umfolosi, among others.

Jeys Marabini, Ndebele and Black Umfolosi wrote and performed the games’ theme song.