DJ spinning tracks.
Photo: Flickr/Bright-nagel
DJ spinning tracks.
Photo: Flickr/Bright-nagel
A group of event industry leaders have pooled together to provide financial relief to those unable to work during the nationwide lockdown by setting up an innovative fund that supports industry workers in need.
The South African Fund for Entertainment (SAFE) is an initiative to raise funds via donations, and the group of industry leaders who created it have partnered with Pick ‘n Pay Feed The Nation to support hourly workers like technical set-up crews, security officers, cleaners, fencing staff, décor company set-up crews, barmen and waiters with food vouchers.
These vouchers will allow them to go to their nearest Pick ‘n Pay for a hamper of essentials.
Lockdown ‘crippling event industry’
Shai Evian, co-Founder of event ticketing and cashless platform Howler, said that the current crisis was crippling the industry’s revenue streams, but insisted that instead of buckling, the industry would galvanise and provide support to those in need.
“Even after the lockdown ends, the ban on mass gatherings is unlikely to be lifted for some time. This has a direct impact on tens of thousands of people, with more than 500 local events already cancelled or postponed over the next few months,” he said.
“Recognising the need for a united effort to raise funds and support the hard-hit industry and its most vulnerable, companies and individuals across the live events, nightclubs, festivals and the like have come together to launch SAFE.”
He said that the cooperative effort was a unique opportunity for industry professionals to work together for a change.
“Historically promoters from different competing companies who would never have dreamed of worked together in the past are now collaborating.”
Streaming platforms to assist fundraising
Evian said that the fund would operate on a streaming platform that would include efforts by organisers, DJs, artists and performers to create and host their own initiatives, pledging support to SAFE.
“Fundraising will be done via different methods organised by members of the entertainment community,” he said.
“Events hosted on the SAFE events platform can accept donations online, or via ticket/voucher sales. A SAFE donation QR code will also be issued to support initiatives hosted on other platforms.”
Funds directed to at-risk groups
Evian said that funds would be directed to those most in need.
“SAFE will work with nightlife and event supply chain companies to identify those most in need and deliver the vouchers via their employers or former employers.”
“SAFE funds will be distributed to applicants by a diverse panel of people who represent at-risk groups and various stakeholders in our entertainment industry. The selection process aims to prioritise the most vulnerable and unable to access other financial support.”
Thereafter, funds will be channeled through the Pick n Pay feeding scheme and pay for meals for staff in need.
“Each Pick ‘n Pay Feed The Nation hamper is a basket of specific items at a cost to SAFE of R600. It can feed a family of five for a month or longer and includes essential items like maize, rice, oil and sugar,” he said.
