Call for support: COVID-19 fund for African touring musicians

Through the #Soulidarity campaign, SWC hopes to raise more than $800 000 that will be awarded to about 200 African musicians from 40 bands who
successfully applied for the funding in August. They will receive between $1 800 to $4 500 as a one-time relief payment. The funds will be distributed to the selected participants through their managers or agencies.

"Over 85% of these musicians' income comes from live performances," SWC said. "These musicians have lost an estimated €3m ($3.5m) in projected revenues. With more funds collected, we will be able to support more musicians from the African continent. The artists who are selected for the fund will actively create content for the campaign and tell us their personal stories throughout the crisis and how it affects them and their countries."

The campaign is ongoing and a number of African musicians have joined in as ambassadors, including Salif Keita (Mali) and Paulo Flores (Angola). Major festivals around the world such as Africa Oyé Festival (UK), Sauti za Busara (Tanzania) and Afro-Pfingsten Festival (Switzerland) have also pledged their support for the campaign.

Additionally, Ghanaian band FRA! released the 'Africa Arise' single in support of #Soulidarity. Bandleader George Gogoe told Music In Africa that the song is a "call to the sons and daughters of the golden continent to join forces for a common goal. It’s an excellent reminder of our legacy and urging us all to blossom as the sun rises on our land."

How to support

Interested individuals, institutions or organisations can donate to the campaign via:

• The Start With Culture official website.
• The Start With Culture official GoFundMe account here. 
• The Start With Culture official PayPal account here.
• The Start With Culture official Betterplace account here.

For updates, follow Start With Culture on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

For more inquiries send an email to application@start-with-culture.org.