By Neo Kolane
Two hundred and eighty-one artists and DJs from Maseru yesterday received food parcels from the office of the Prime Minister but they turned their noses up at the gift which they described as inadequate. They each received 12.5kg of maize meal and 5kg of beans.
A total of 469 artists and DJs in the country are earmarked to receive the aid after falling on hard times when the entertainment industry felt the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic which saw the banning of live performances.
Speaking at the handing over of the food parcels, the minister of tourism, environment and culture, Lekhetho Rakuoane said he met with Nacosec last Wednesday to discuss the possibility of reopening the entertainment industry.
Rakuoane thanked the artists for their patience, and promised to keep them in the loop about the outcome of the ministerial sub-committee’s deliberations on the matter.
The public relations officer of Lesotho Music Rights Association, Ramosa Bosiu, said all they want is for Nacosec to open the industry so artists can make a living too. “All we want is to get back to our jobs. We are tired of empty promises. We are grateful for the food, but we want to get back to work.”
Maseru-based DJ, Mosiuoa Masiu, did not mince his words. “We are not happy at all. Beans do not pay school fees or rent; all we want is for gigs to open so we can go back to making a living.”
