By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The KwaZulu-Natal department of economic development, tourism and environmental affairs (Edtea) has pulled the plug on its controversial R20m sponsorship of the South African Music Awards (Samas).
Duma made the announcement in a media briefing on Wednesday, but stressed that this didn’t mean the three-year sponsorship deal had been cancelled.
His announcement comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa “advised him against such spending in the interest of maintaining fiscal discipline.
He added that when an unemployed person heard the government would be spending R20 million on an awards show, it was “polarising”.
Duma said the decision was taken after a wide consultation with several stakeholders.
“As an executive authority, having consulted widely with the executive council and other stakeholders I have advised the department to stop the hosting of the South African Music awards this year,” Duma said.
Senior management has been mandated to engage with the Recording Industry of South Africa and report back to me as an executive authority,” he said.
“We will also report to the KZN Executive Council as the hosting of the Sama Awards was a collective decision.”
He also used the press conference to refute claims by ActionSA leader in KwaZulu-Natal, Zwakele Mncwango, that the department was planning to spend R28 million for the awards.
“Having said, for the record, we wish to reiterate the following points we have made consistently: The procurement process followed by the department to secure approval from the provincial treasury for funding of the Sama awards was above board, transparent and free of any irregularities,” he said.
“Unfortunately, in the process of ensuring transparency, official and public available documents have been weaponised against the department to scandalise this national event with a global following; the R28 million and other figures being thrown around, are part of a campaign of disinformation,” Duma said.
The awards are set for the weekend of November 17 — 18 at the Durban ICC.