Ras Natty Baby imposes an ultimatum to the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage and the Mauritius Society of Authors (MASA). The seggaeman plans to go on hunger strike if nothing is done to regularize his situation regarding the pension which, according to the artist, is his right.
Now 68 years old, Ras Natty Baby still claims his due. Established by MASA in 2010, the Solidarity Fund should according to the procedure offer a pension to senior artists. But Ras Natty Baby never got anything.
A meeting was held on November 8 between the artist, the minister and members of the board of MASA to settle the situation: “During this meeting, I was made to understand that everything will soon be regularized. I am willing to wait until November 31. After this deadline, I would have no choice but to start a hunger strike in front of the MASA headquarters. It is the only solution left to me, even if it costs me my life. I am a victim of discrimination and I also campaign for the 28 other artists who like me, do not get anything.”
The artist also believes that if MASA can not pay, it is the ministry that must do so: “During the meeting of November 8, I was told that MASA has no more money. Certainly, in this case, it is the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage that must regularize my situation by also paying my arrears,” said Ras Natty Baby.
