The artists who are currently staging a sit-in at Pacofs, which has lasted for the past 10 days, say since the movement started they have never gone hungry and each one of them is still in good health.
The provincial coordinator of the Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA), Mbuyiselo Nqodi, says that even though they are not sure what they are having for lunch this afternoon, having food to eat every day has been pure grace.
“There are ladies on the fourth floor who prepare our meals.”
Nqodi further explained that, at the beginning, they thought this was going to be an easy in and out. Little did they know they would be sleeping, eating and living at the Pacofs offices.
He says they are mentally, emotionally and physically prepared for this movement and will not be backing down until they have the answers to their demands and they are even more determined than ever.
On the question of staging a sit-in during a pandemic, he explained that the Premier, Sefora Ntombela, said that she would call in the Free State Health Department to speak to them on the dangers of the sit-in.
Nqodi says that they have limited the number of people who sleep at the offices. They sanitise regularly, wear masks and no gatherings are ever done in big numbers and small venues.
“We do not want to create a super spreader event because that would defeat the purpose. We also allow and appreciate those who do walk-ins every day to pledge their solidarity.”
The artists paid a visit to their Northern Cape colleagues on Thursday to show solidarity. The Northern Cape artists have gone on a hunger strike to fight corruption and maladministration in their province.
Sazly Hartzenberg
