Closure of Ticketpro Dome a reminder of events industry’s Covid-19 struggle

The closure of the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg serves as a sobering reminder of the events industry’s ongoing Covid-19 struggle. Founder and owner of central South African events management company, Lesley Jennings, tells the OFM Business Hour the closure of the dome which has housed international acts is devastating and makes her ask: “who am I to go on?”. Jennings has been forced to diversify her company in an effort to keep going. Gigculture has now ventured into virtual hybrid events predominately in the conference space in addition to branding. Jennings laments the lack of communication from the department of arts and culture in assisting event organisers with relief. She says banks have not been particularly helpful, let alone the fact that most of the industry does not qualify for relief from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) owing in part to the lack of professional bodies/unions that advocate for the industry.