“I didn’t even get a cent”, cries Central Music Awards winner

 
Winners of the much spoken about Central Music Awards still waiting two months after the awards ceremony held in April 2022 at PACOFS.
 
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said close to fifteen artists and service providers have not been paid.
 
It’s not clear why an event that had close to 18 sponsors would not pay winners.
 
A leaked letter sent to artists and service providers dated 15 June 2022 blames the Office of the Premier for the delay.

“The management of a committee of the Central Music Awards would like to take this moment and report to the winners with outstanding prizes of the progress made with regards to the processing of their prizes, the management have been doing follow-ups with the office of the premier for the past three weeks and till today 15th June 2022 we have not received any payment as per discussed with the office.
 
We are still engaging with the office and they are doing their best to ensure that we receive financial support as per our discussion.”
At this stage, no reason is provided why the office of the premier will be making payment when they were not sponsors and what value they received from the awards as their logo is not even on the posters at least.”

Fikile “Dawgla” Jantjie said he has not received a cent except the award.
 
“I did not even get a cent except the award. My category was sponsored by FSACC of which I was supposed to get R5000.”
 
Asked why he has not received his winning Dawgla said the category sponsor pulled out.
 
“Their reasons are FSACC pulled out now the Premier’s office took over, but the funny part is that we were sent a letter that said we are forced to be patient since the government was not forced to sponsor the award, so it was as if we were done a favor.”
 
Last week Free State provincial Government announced the Premier’s Top 50 Awards and the email address provided for nominations belong to Team Dynamics, the same company that was behind Central Media Award as per one post from an official who thanked the Central Music Awards’ founder for asking him to draft the concept.
 

The big question we must ask ourselves is are all programs realized when unsolicited pitches seem to be grabbed for Public Relations exercises?
 
Another musician Motsamai Lepele known in the circles as Ntate Machekela who won his category concurred with Dawgla and he too is yet to receive his prize money.
 
“I did not get any prize for the award, I was told that the money from government takes long due to some other processes.”
 
Asked if he provided his banking details in case the money from the office of the premier comes through the surprised Machekela said.

“I wonder how they are going to pay him because they have not asked for my account numbers.
 
In total there were 32 categories and if 15 artists have not yet received their prize money then maybe just maybe the awards should not even have taken place.

Contrary to awards we see all the time in Free State, the City of Joburg Social Development Skills offers to train 100 unemployed youth training which upon completion the youth will be assisted with obtaining their learner license and A1 driving license linked to the Mr. Delivery for employment opportunities to feed their families.
 
Sello Pietersen and Palesa Chubisi, spokespersons to the Premier did not respond to our questions including why the Premier’s office had to pay when it was not the official sponsor, and how much was the office going to pay and what will the youth benefit from this.
 
This is a developing story.
 
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