HARD work has eventually paid off and the sun is shining for cultural activist Freddy Nyathela.

HARD work has eventually paid off and the sun is shining for cultural activist Freddy Nyathela.

Nyathela, the president of the South African Roadies Association (Sara), has been appointed chairperson of the Events Chamber Board of Services Seta.

Robbie Blake, the vice chairperson of the Technical Production Services Association, has been appointed the chamber's vice chairperson.

This decision was reached at the recent Event and Conference Management Indaba held at the services' Seta offices in Parktown, Johannesburg.

The meeting was chaired by the services Seta chief executive officer Ivor Blumenthal.

Other organisations that were represented at the meeting were the South African Association for the Conference Industry (Saaci) and the Exhibition Association of Southern Africa (Exsa).

An excited Nyathela told Sowetan:"This is obviously a good thing, particularly since this sector plays a very important role in events management services provision in the country.

"This is good recognition for the sector," the newly appointed chairperson added.

Nyathela, one of the country's most outspoken arts activists, has ridden the storms as head of Sara for many years, trying to raise money for youth training in the live events sector.