Afrikaans is Groot (AIG) is in the business of promoting music. The annual AIG-concerts, starting next weekend, join the most popular Afrikaans artists together on one stage and is the result of public demand.
This year nearly 80 000 tickets sold out in a few days – proof of the concert’s growing popularity.
Steve Hofmeyr was contracted for the concert on the same criteria as all the other artists on stage – CD-sales numbers, popularity in the market and the merit of his songs to be used in such a production. AIG’s only involvement with all the artists is therefore the performance of their music.
It is not the function of AIG to get involved or comment on the personal or public viewpoints of any artist, including Steve. Those who bought the tickets did it with his participation as part of the offering – each ticket is a contract with the buyer. Therefore, as one of the country’s most popular music stars, Steve is still performing in the concert.
If AIG has to judge all of the more than 300 singers, choir members, instrumental artists, dancers, production coordinators and technical support crew on subjective viewpoints, personal choices, lifestyle, or religion it would be impossible to stage a music concert any place in the world. Those involved are expected to conduct themselves in line with their contracts and the constitution – just as the case will be at any other employer. AIG will review anybody’s role that is formally found in breach of their contract or the constitution.
AIG has immense appreciation for the involvement of sponsors in the Afrikaans music industry and their contribution towards its success. Therefore it is grossly unfair and unacceptable that the commentator Conrad Koch is targeting sponsors, AIG and other organisations and persons by attacking them by the hour on his Twitter account. AIG, and not the sponsors, decide on the participation of artists.
AIG recognises Koch’s right to free speech and topical debate with whomever he chooses. However, to damage the business interests of companies by targeting them in a managed campaign on issues that is not relevant to their involvement in Afrikaans music, is bordering on harassment and is clearly offside.
Koch also does not shy away from using untruths – e.g. he states as “a fact” that “only 20 white artists” are in the line-up. This was never the case in any AIG concert.
AIG respects the right of all sponsors to handle this situation to the better of their own interests. However, AIG wants to assure them and ticket holders that the creative team and artists are hard at work to once again make a huge success of the project.
(4 November 2014: Embargo immediate)
(For any inquiries contact Barnard Beukman, AIG-spokesperson on the statement, at [email protected] or 0791773792)
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