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The South African musicians who are demanding to be included in the World Cup kick-off concert must understand that the show is not all about them, a top FIFA official said on Thursday.
Local musicians have reacted with anger to the line-up for the star-studded June 10 concert, saying it should have included more local talent.
"This is an international event, we need to attract audiences from around the world with big global names," said FIFA secretary general Jerome Valke.
"It is not only about the local artists. FIFA paid a lot of money to stage this event," he told journalists.
Three South African acts - The Parlotones, BLK JKS and Vusi Mahlasela - have been included in the line-up, which includes the Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Shakira and Alicia Keys.
The artists' union last week brought their grievances to Culture Minister Lulu Xingwana and World Cup organising chief Danny Jordaan.
"We have informed them that the concert is not the only arts event around the World Cup. This is not the end for them," Jordaan told journalists on Thursday.
The kick-off concert will take place at Orlando Stadium in the historic Soweto township outside Johannesburg.
Meanwhile, South African artists announced earlier in thr week that a parallel, free concert would be held for locals at the World Cup.
According to reports, the free local concert will take place at Dobsonville Stadium - a few kilometres away from the FIFA concert.
President of the Creative Workers Union, Mabutho "Kid" Sithole, said the exclusion of local artists from the FIFA concert was a clear sign that "there is nothing African about this so-called African spectacle".
Former kwaito artist Doc Shebeleza said the union was planning two events - a prayer meeting to wish the tournament well on 5 June followed by the main concert on 10 June.
Shebeleza said: "Details have not been finalised but we are expecting about 50 musicians to perform at the two events. There will be a number of South African and African artists."
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