By Celani Sikhakhane
- Singers Dladla Mshunqisi and DJ Cyndo will perform at the Democratic Alliance Youth Day rally in Durban on 16 June.
- African National Congress leaders warned musicians that the political party will only hire artists who show loyalty during difficult times.
Artists in KwaZulu-Natal are ignoring warnings from the African National Congress. Musicians have taken jobs to perform at a Democratic Alliance Youth Day rally in Durban on 16 June.
Singers Dladla Mshunqisi and DJ Cyndo appear on the event posters on social media. Democratic Alliance leaders Geordin Hill-Lewis and Sithembiso Ngema will speak at the rally.
Last week, ruling party leaders in KZN warned musicians that the party will only book performers who show loyalty during difficult times. This caused a major backlash from artists.
Musicians say they need bookings from different political parties to survive and take care of their families. Performers also criticised the ruling party for late payments.
Veteran artist Phuzekhemisi Mnyandu said musicians are not politicians looking for posts like councillors or members of parliament.
“We spoke about this matter and the ANC knows that as artists we accept any invite from any political party because that is how we survive to take care of our families,” Mnyandu said.
Provincial leader Mike Mabuyakhulu said it is better to work with someone who stays through thick and thin. He said it is unfair to forget people who helped during dark days.
In the past, some musicians refused bookings from other groups. The late gospel singer Debora Frazer only sang at African National Congress events and once refused to leave her car at a Congress of the People rally.
Gospel singer Malusi Mbokazi used to hide at Inkatha Freedom Party events because he thought the ruling party would stop hiring him for government gigs.
Artist Joy Mbewana told the political leaders that they must pay musicians on time when they do their jobs.
Pictured above: Musicians will perform at a political event in Durban.
Image source: Social media
