Artists unhappy with Bay treatment

Nelson Mandela Bay performing artists have voiced their dissatisfaction over the treatment they claim they receive when there are musical festivals organised by the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality.

Letters written by Leleti Poeticsoul Mahambehlala, Thandile Mpetsha and Yahkeem, which were leaked to The Herald, accuse the Bay municipality of being the worst city for local artists in which to live and perform.

They said they enjoyed working outside Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality as the performance fees paid to local artists by other local municipalities were was usually three times the amount that the Bay municipality offered.

One of the artists, none of whom wanted to be quoted individually for fear of repercussions, said: “We receive royal treatment in all other municipalities except in the Bay.

For instance, at the recent Ebubeleni Festival which was held on December 27 at Adcock Stadium, the local artists were belittled.

“The performing contracts were signed two hours before the local artists went on stage.”

The artist said that after their performances, they were stripped of their passes, denied access to the backstage tent, and had to walk through the crowd carrying their musical instruments.

Municipal spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki said there were formal platforms between the municipality and artists where issues of such a nature were discussed through organisations representing them.

- Yoliswa Sobuwa