U2 360° Tour Replies To Complaints by South African Roadies Association

U2 are set to play shows in Capetown and Johnannesburg, returning to South Africa for the first time since 1998.

U2 360° has a travelling crew of 196 from 15 countries. In every venue around the world, the tour recruits local labour to build and take down the enormous 360 production.

An organization called SARA (South African Roadies Association) is threatening to picket the U2 concert in Johannesburg this weekend, alleging racism. This is simply not true, in fact in Johannesburg, 97% of the crew are black, and in Cape Town, 100% of the local crew are black.

This show production is contracted to the All Access Company - the highest rated and most skilled labour crew provider in South Africa, (which has a Black Economic Empowerment Rating of Level 3).

In both Johannesburg and Cape Town 250 local positions are filled by All Access, including stagehands, skilled and technical roles.

In addition, through All Access, the tour has provided 50 Workshop Training positions for local black youths.

We have offered to meet with representatives of SARA.