So to register for the vaccine takes less than five minutes and then they tell you that you will receive your confirmation SMS in less than 24 hours, and boom in under five minutes, you receive the message.
It is so convenient and mind-blowing to me that a government who gave the local arts communities one of the most difficult claims applications for relief funds during this pandemic could manage to come up with such a simple yet effective system for vaccinations.
The system to claim those relief funds left many artists without money and many had to sell their instruments just to make ends meet.
I look back at that time and some artists and companies got millions while the majority of us here in Cape Town got nothing up until now.
Yet, here we are with a two-minute vaccine online application; wow just wow.
I am impressed and disgusted at the same time, and my heart aches for the freelancers and dancers who suffered because of that botched first relief grant.
We had to submit everything from a tax report to our fingerprints to get a cent.
Many great local talents didn’t see the need to even fill in the form, they had given their blood, sweat, time and tears to this industry, bared their souls, and then they were required to fill in a form and go stand in a line to get a few rands.
Imagine you work for Woolworths your whole life, then when you retire they act like they don’t know you.
It was that kind of madness and yet they filled in the form, only to get declined, not once but twice, and some just didn’t even bother.
Not because of pride but because of a system that blocked them and the monies disappeared.
Even walk-ins are allowed to get the vaccine, no appointment needed.
Don’t get me wrong, we appreciate the convenience, but why could we not walk in for our monies also?
You left us vulnerable and withering, uncertain and penniless during the most difficult period of this pandemic.
The vaccine has been rolled out already but the government still has not come back to sort us out in the same way other industries have been seen to.
Yet, it’s us who you look out for at the vaccination stations, because it’s us the public look to for reassurance that the vaccine is safe.
You yourself Mr. President, knew how important it was for you to get the jab because you are a public figure, you have influence and many might follow your example.
Yes, we know this is why you went and now you need us to go first, so others will follow.
But when we needed you, you and your cabinet simply were not there for us.
I feel like the first relief fund system for artists was intentionally made difficult.
My biggest memory of this pandemic will be this dark time for the arts, because that is when I realised that people don’t see entertainment as a proper job.
And I blame you and your cabinet, Mr. President.
In the end we are not an industry of looters, we adapted, we survived the virus basically without your help, we trusted in the Almighty and the support of our audiences who enjoy the work of their favourite local artists.
But you still have a chance to redeem yourself.
You are giving R350 grants again, what about a walk-in relief fund for the artists while you are at it?
But I’m afraid R350 is not going to cut it for us suffering artists.
I don’t know if or when the problems in this industry during this pandemic are going to be addressed, but I intend to tell our story and the suffering our families had to endure because of the total disregard for our hard work.
Enough is enough!
If people can loot and scare you into bringing back the R350 social relief grant, then I am sure the arts can do something that is going to give a voice to the pain we have been put through in a much more tasteful way.
dailyvoice@inl.co.za