The pandemic may have choked the entertainment industry but artists are fighting back and helping each other along the way.
Like Tafelsig busker, Vezz, who is moving on from singing on buses to taking the stage at the 5-star Hotel Sky in Cape Town later this month.
The dad of one has got a little help from fellow singer Mujahid George, who reached out to him after reading about his woes in the Daily Voice.
Vezz made headlines in April after the Daily Voice spoke to him about his busking on public buses to make a living, using just his speaker boksie.
Following this, Vezz, whose real name is Lance Fortuin, was interviewed by various other media and even landed gigs.
But times are tough and with gigs drying up, about two weeks ago, a desperate Vezz again boarded buses to busk again but says after getting a “rather offish response” from commuters, he stopped.
This was mostly due to the fact that the country was gripped by the third wave of Covid-19 and the Delta variant.
“The response was rather offish, people didn’t react the same and I felt despondent,” says Vez.
He then uploaded a selfie while on the bus and shared his experience.
His post was spotted by Bo-Kaap singer Mujahid who offered him a gig.
Mujahid is part of a stellar cast who will host A Weekend Away in Music at Hotel Sky on 24 and 25 September.
The cast includes Nur Abrahams, Allistair Izobel, Nazneen Leeman and Loukmaan Adams.
Mujahid says he’s saddened to see so many social media posts of even established artists asking for money to help pay the electricity or even food for their families.
“I hope it will open other doors for Vezz,” says Mujahid.
An overwhelmed Vezz tells the Daily Voice: “Wow, I have never performed at a hotel before, this is going to be amazing. I was feeling down about the busking not going great but God opened new doors and I am eternally grateful.”
The concert includes a two-night stay, with breakfast, and a Sky-Hi-Ride ticket at Hotel Sky in Cape Town.
For information or bookings WhatsApp 083 220 9077.