Edward Tsumele
Edward Tsumele
Preparations for Jacob Zuma's inauguration on Saturday are in full swing, though one sector of the creative industry is fuming as they feel left out.
The South African Roadies Association's (Sara) trainee technicians are complaining about being excluded.
Sara has since last week been sending a flurry of requests to those handling the preparation for the youth to be involved at a technical level 'without success'.
Sara trains youth in live events technical skills such as sound engineering, stage management and lighting design.
Sara spokesperson, Freddy Nyathela, is livid that he is not getting any joy from the authorities with regard to his request for the youth to work alongside experienced technical staff at the inauguration.
"All we really want is to have our youth who are currently on training to work alongside experienced people in putting together the inauguration party. But we have been sent from pillar to post since last week, and it appears as if they are not taking us seriously," said Nyathela.
"Dumisani Mahlasela, the director of public participation, has told me he would raise our matter with the organising committee. He has since not come back to us," he said.
Mahlasela could only confirm a conversation he had with Nyathela but declined to comment as he said he was not authorised to do so.
Rosemary Mangope, acting deputy director-general responsible for arts, culture, disagrees. "Nyathela approached us late as he came to us last week. We have always helped Sara, including funding them. The inauguration is a multi-departmental project and as such all the other stakeholders must be approached on time as this is a prestigious event that needs meticulous planning and coordination."
Roadies 'left out' of JZ party
Edward Tsumele
Edward Tsumele
Preparations for Jacob Zuma's inauguration on Saturday are in full swing, though one sector of the creative industry is fuming as they feel left out.
The South African Roadies Association's (Sara) trainee technicians are complaining about being excluded.
Sara has since last week been sending a flurry of requests to those handling the preparation for the youth to be involved at a technical level 'without success'.
Sara trains youth in live events technical skills such as sound engineering, stage management and lighting design.
Sara spokesperson, Freddy Nyathela, is livid that he is not getting any joy from the authorities with regard to his request for the youth to work alongside experienced technical staff at the inauguration.
"All we really want is to have our youth who are currently on training to work alongside experienced people in putting together the inauguration party. But we have been sent from pillar to post since last week, and it appears as if they are not taking us seriously," said Nyathela.
"Dumisani Mahlasela, the director of public participation, has told me he would raise our matter with the organising committee. He has since not come back to us," he said.
Mahlasela could only confirm a conversation he had with Nyathela but declined to comment as he said he was not authorised to do so.
Rosemary Mangope, acting deputy director-general responsible for arts, culture, disagrees. "Nyathela approached us late as he came to us last week. We have always helped Sara, including funding them. The inauguration is a multi-departmental project and as such all the other stakeholders must be approached on time as this is a prestigious event that needs meticulous planning and coordination."