20100602
SABC

The government has strongly rebuked the Creative Workers Union of South Africa (CWUSA) over its call for the people to boycott next week's World Cup kick-off celebration concert at Orlando Stadium. CWUSA made the call in Johannesburg yesterday, saying the concert has a eurocentric artistic ideology that does not suit Africa.

Today Arts and Culture Minister Lulu Xingwana dismissed CWUSA’s comments. She says the government fully supports the concert. "We believe that FIFA and the Local Organising Committee have gone a long way towards ensuring that a number of our local artists and African artists participate and are able to showcase their talent to the world. We also do not support a boycott against the 2010 World Cup concert because we believe that all South Africans should embrace it,” says Xingwana.

Meanwhile, calls to boycott the concert seem to be gathering momentum. The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) has also entered the fray. "As Sanco we say nothing for us without us. So we are not going to this event. We are very organised at the grass root level. We will inform our branches, zones and our street committees not to go to this event," says Sanco spokesperson, Thamsanqa Thaga.

The call is also backed by the SA Football Players Union, Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association, the Young Communist League of SA, SA Students Congress and the SA Liquor Traders Association (Salta).

The organisations claim that too few local artists are playing and the tickets are too expensive. The concert is being billed as a concert you will not want to miss. The line-up includes stars such as Alicia Keys, The Black Eyed Peas and John Legend, Hugh Masekela Freshlyground, Angeliqua Kidjo, Soweto Gospel Choir, Kwani Experience, Lira and others.