PICS: ’Light SA Red’ turns Mzansi crimson

Cape Town – The Light SA Red movement turned Mzansi red to urge the government to ease lockdown restrictions for events and productions.

The South African technical production and live events industry, under the Light SA Red movement, is calling for the government to ease the lockdown restrictions and allow artists to work again.

The strict lockdown regulations and restrictions have forced many entertainment companies to shut their doors.

On Wednesday, several venues and landmarks across the country turned red, including Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Nelson Mandela Bay Theatre Complex, the Playhouse Theatre in Durban and many more.

#LightSAred#Playhouse #Durban pic.twitter.com/PlQGNbBgEv

The people that supply equipment for events have been left with no choice but to close down, too. Venues that host gigs, cinemas and theatre houses are still not operational.

Join ons! #LightSARedhttps://t.co/Rkd8h07nA4 pic.twitter.com/tKHHk2HOHA

— Anton Botha (@AntonBotha_musi) August 5, 2020

Although the government gave cinemas and theatre houses the green light to open, many chose to remain closed due to the strict regulations still in place.

#LightSAred#TollgateBridge in #Durban. ❤️🎶🚩😷🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/zd2ZCKSpDo

— Jayshree JZEE (@JayshreeJzee) August 5, 2020

“If something is not done to help the industry survive during the lockdown when we are allowed to go out again, there will be nowhere to go,” said Light SA Red spokesperson Sharif Baker.

Thank you for #lightingsared pic.twitter.com/fwJDnqbFkP

On the objective of this initiative, Baker explained: “Our primary objective is to have a seat at the table with government and discuss a way forward, especially as of our re-opening guidelines protocol prepared by our events safety council.

Thank you for #lightingsared , your theatre is beautiful Nelson Mandela Bay Theatre complex pic.twitter.com/2CUC0csTCU

— LightSAred_Official (@LightsaredO) August 5, 2020

"However, in the short and medium terms to gain financial assistance as well as relief via an extension of either TERS (Temporary Employee / Employer Relief Scheme and UIF ( Unemployment Insurance Fund)."

Elaborating on the symbolic meaning behind lighting up a building in red, Baker said: “Red is the international colour of emergency!

“And as we see our situation as an emergency it is only but apt that the “Symbolic Resistance” of illuminating buildings in red will gain the attention needed.”