KZN ACTIONSA leader Zwakele Mncwango has questioned the decision of the KZN Economic Development, Tourism and Environment Affairs to fund the South African Music Awards with R28 million.
The 29th SAMAs will be at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on 17 and 18 November.
Mncwango said he was surprised at how the funding changed from R8 million to 28 million, alleging it was going to suck the province dry.
According to the KZN Treasury department approval shared by Mncwango, the Host Province Association Fee will be R2,55 million, and the SAMA live broadcast for 17 and 18 October will be over R2,9 million and R11,5 millin .
The SAMA red carpet will be R200 000, Road2SAMA will be R1 800, six influencers will get R70 000 each, the Lifetime Achievement Gala Dinner will cost R6 500 000, SAMA Goodie Bags will be R3 000 000, and SAMA Golf Day will be R225 000 and the total will be 28 million.
Mncwango said he is also surprised that the political parties in the KZN Legislature were silent about this.
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He said he was writing to the Department of Economic Development, Tourism Affairs and Department of Treasury to demand answers.
“We want to know why the SABC will be getting R2,9 million for broadcasting the event and why the red carpet will cost R2 million.
“I’m shocked that influencers will be getting R70 000 each. What is an influencer? Where do they study? It seems like it is well-paid. Goodie bags will cost R3 million, and Gala Dinner will cost R6.5 million,” he said, adding that the R70 000 they would get excluded accommodation, travel costs and activities fees.
KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs spokesman Ndabezinhle Sibiya said the SAMA Awards will inject more than R350 million into the KZN economy with more than 4000 visitors sampling the warmth and smiles of the people of the province.
“We reject the figure of R28 million as just a politically manufactured fabrication. We can confirm that around R20 million was suggested as part of a 3-year partnership. Procurement processes are underway in line with the Public Finance Management Act.
“From the proposed investment of R20 million, more than R350 million will be injected into the provincial economy over the next two months,” he said.
