Culture minister wants a more South African World Cup concert

South Africa's culture minister said Thursday she would like to see more African artists in the World Cup kick-off concert, two days after meeting with local musicians upset over the line-up.

South Africa will kick off the June 11-July 11 tournament with a massive concert at Johannesburg's Orlando Stadium scheduled to include Alicia Keys, Shakira and the Black Eyed Peas, among others.

Culture Minister Lulu Xingwana met with World Cup organisers and local artists' representatives Thursday to discuss making more space for homegrown talent in the June 10 programme.

"We're not saying we don't want people from other parts of the world," Xingwana told SABC television after the meeting.

"We're simply saying we'd like to see more African and South African participation."

Xingwana heard complaints Tuesday from a group of South African musicians who voiced their frustration over the concert's line-up, which currently features nine international acts and three local ones.

Thursday's closed-door meeting included Danny Jordaan, CEO of the World Cup organising committee, and local artists' representatives, including the president and secretary-general of the Creative Workers Union of South Africa.

The culture ministry said in a press release that Jordaan would meet with FIFA officials in two weeks' time to address the artists' concerns.

SABC reported that South African officials have asked FIFA to delay announcing further additions to the line-up to allow time to give the concert a more South African vibe.

jhb/br