Status and Purpose of the Concert held at the South African High Commission in London on 16 November 2004

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 1754

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 38 OF 4 NOVEMBER 2005

Mr D H M Gibson (DA) to ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs:

(1) (a) What was the purpose of the concert held at the SA High Commission in London on 16 November 2004, (b) what was the total cost, (c) how many guests were invited, (d) who was invited and (e) on what was the money spent;

(2) Whether the Government secured private donations to help fund the concert; if so, (a) from which entities were such donations acquired and (b) what was the total amount donated by each entity? N2362E

REPLY:

QUESTION 1

(1) Purpose of the function held at the SA High Commission in London on 16 November 2004?

There was no concert held at the High Commission on 16 November 2004. However, the Mission held events: a unity gala to celebrate 10 years of freedom in South Africa held in the Barbican, London on 16 November 2004.

The unity gala was in a form of a Classical Music Concert, involving the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, Imilonji KaNtu Choir and the Durban Serenade Choirs in partnership with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and was held at the Barbican in London on 16 November 2004.

This function formed part of the celebrations of the 10th anniversary of freedom in South Africa, which was celebrated all over the UK throughout 2004, and also coincided with the centenary celebration of the London Symphony Orchestra, and the 20th anniversary of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert also formed part of the cultural co-operation initiatives between the United Kingdom and the Republic of South Africa. The Concert featured the Imilonji KaNtu Choir and the Durban Serenades, along with solo performances from soprano Linda Buckhosini and tenor Bongani Tembe. This was seen as an opportunity to showcase South African talent in the UK and as an expression of solidarity and co-operation between the two countries. This was especially significant as the classical and operatic domain was previously inaccessible to black people in South Africa during the Apartheid era. Both President Mbeki and Prime Minister Blair supported the event in writing, and the letters of support were published in the programme.
(2) Total Costs incurred

The total cost incurred in London for the function was £150 929.

(3) Number of Guests.

Approximately 1 700

(4) Who was invited

Categories of guests included: paying public (tickets were available through the Barbican for the
general public) and invited guests from lists provided by the sponsors and the High
Commission.

(5) Funds spent

*This includes production costs, cost of programme, concert management etc.

QUESTION 2

(1) Donations received for the function.

£137 466

(2) Entities which funded the function.

• Lonmin Plc
• Budget Group
• P& O Nedloyd
• BHP Billiton
• Petro SA
• Department of Arts and Culture SA.

(3) Total amount of sponsorship.

£137 466