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Sudan Tribune

Plural news and views on Sudan

Local artists express dismay with CPA organizers in WES

By Richard Ruati

January 20, 2010 (Yambio) – One day after the euphoria which galvanized CPA celebration across southern Sudan, local artists in Western Equatoria State have expressed anger and dismay with the state organizers of the memorable CPA celebration in 2010.

Emmy J Yoere WES musician
Emmy J Yoere WES musician
The fifth and the last CPA celebrations took place in Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria State on 19th January 2010.

Independent observers say there were a lot of expectations from the local people including the state’s local artists but, the expectations turned into disappointment as none of the artists from Western Equatoria State was invited or given any chance to perform. Some of them have been practicing for months with the hope that they will be part of the celebrations.

Very unfair indeed – said some of the artists, “At least we need recognitions from our state government and the efforts [we] are doing by creating awareness about the CPA, Elections and HIV through [our] songs”; added one of the local artists Ms. Sweet J.
“I made a lot of arrangements in preparation for the celebrations and recorded a lot of music hoping that I shall perform and sell some of my recorded music, but now am just giving them away to people for free” Sweet J stated.

“Our colleagues from Upper Nile and Central Equatoria states who were invited to perform in Nzara felt sorry for us and asked us to join them as we were bored” said Ambassador Koko one of the local artists.

Western Equatoria Expert Mr. Justin Wannis observes that, Congolese Music Legend, “Kanda Bongo man (who expired long time ago) from neighboring DRC was also allowed to perform at the CPA celebrations in Yambio for the sum of $20, 0000 an amount that could help the local artist to develop.”

He disclosed that “Kanda Bongo man sympathized for the local musicians took some of the local artists with him inside to perform so that they can learn or benefit from his skills but, the artists were sent out by the organizers.

Wannis asks that, “when is the state going to recognize the talents of its own sons/daughters?”

“This event could have exposed the local artists to the outside states and encourage them to develop speedily but the organizers decided against this, said one of the artists who requested anonymity discussing the CPA anxieties.

Sudan Tribune contacted the CPA organizers, the state High Level Committee for the 5th anniversary, Deputy Governor Col Joseph Ngere who heads the State High Level Committee vehemently denies the complaint filed by the WES local artists. He says that, “the musician were put on the list to perform after Kanda Bongo Man, adding that he and State Governor had left when Bongo was still happening, after that he did not know what happened behind.

Deputy Governor further revealed that, “after receiving complaints from the local artists he facilitated the musicians logistical for their bid to perform,” however Sudan Tribune could not verify this claim independently.

Tutu Phina one of the WES rocking artists alleged that, “there was something fishy concerning the humiliation they (WES Musicians) have experienced from their own government, adding that, “in fact Mr. Journalist, I don’t know which term I can use to express and describe the ordeal and [our] disappointments as WES musicians.”

“Our songs was barred over the FM radio in hours leading to the CPA celebration.”

Local observers say, the latest complain from the host musicians is one of many complains coming from the civilians, the intended beneficiaries,

who had hoped to benefit from the multi million event, many civilians were encouraged by the state government to lay bricks, but to their surprise most of the construction works for the CPA were done using imported concrete bricks from Juba leaving most of WES young men in dilemma and mistrust against the state government.

Musicians warn that, such mal treatment may impede the young music industry in WES hence hindering the economic growth being bolstered by local artists.

66 millions of Sudanese Pounds was allocated and approved for the 5th CPA event; the state is yet to account the masses on how the money has been spent.

(ST)

11 Comments

  • jack chuol
    jack chuol

    Local artists express dismay with CPA organizers in WES
    That is the behaviours of Southerners,they don’t consider their people, they consider other before them. Very sorry for what happened to those musician

    Reply
  • Bor Nhom
    Bor Nhom

    Local artists express dismay with CPA organizers in WES
    To me,these act during the CPA celebration expressed backwardness,mistrust and lack of patriotism.Who among this incompitant leaders, Governor and his dupty doesn’t know the positive impact of songs and musicians in the signing of CPA.

    My fellow musicians in Yambio a’m very sory about this humiliation.and remember you need to teach them how important music industry is to the nation.

    I am asking,What was the 66 millions SDG for if the Artists were not included in the program?

    Reply
  • kuminyandi
    kuminyandi

    Local artists express dismay with CPA organizers in WES
    These musicians should organize their own CPA celebration to express their feelings about being left out from the event. However, they have to make their own music, I mean not to make assimilated music from American hip hop for example. To me, anybody who produced assimilated American music is not an artist, like the guy that pictured in the article, I would not invite him/her to perform in any state sponsored event. I would rather like to see traditional artists performing, because they would express their true music that represent their culture and customs. The awarness that these Artists talked about can be shown through traditional and cultural music. Is not only Western ( Hip Hop and rap ) music that should be important in Southern Sudan, but the traditional music as well.

    Reply
  • K Bambo
    K Bambo

    Local artists express dismay with CPA organizers in WES
    CPA celeberation fund was 66 million Sudanese Pounds? That is about 30 million US dollars, that money can build a city by African standard.

    Ken

    Reply
  • Time1
    Time1

    Local artists express dismay with CPA organizers in WES
    Where is the money allocated for hte CPA, the 50million pounds? Mr Ngere should give the artists and students some of that money sinces he was the one who called them to perform.

    Reply
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