R10 000 from the proceedings of the Valentine’s Day Music Festival will be donated to Nyelisani Sidimela (18), who escaped death when her lips were brutally removed on 23 October last year.

The festival, hosted by NW Audiovisual and Phalaphala FM, will take place at the Thohoyandou 2010 Centre next Saturday (18 February).

Medical experts confirmed that it would cost more than R360 000 to have Nyelisani’s lips replaced via plastic surgery. So far, R56 000 has been raised towards Sidimela’s trust fund.

Two suspects, Mukondeleli Phosha (54) and Robert Dzebu (31) were arrested in connection with the incident, which also left Maanda Sendedza dead. They have applied for bail at the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s court at least four times each, without success. They are presently in custody.

Lolo Mashila of NW Audiovisual said they decided to donate the money because they sympathise with Nyelisani and they want to show their strong objection to ritual murders. “We felt we needed to set an example so that other people should learn from us. Nyelisani is one of our community members and we have to strive to make sure that she again enjoys life like all of us. We seriously condemn the acts of ritual murder and we want to send a message to the community that it is not good to murder people…”

Lolo called upon community members to come in large numbers to make the event a success.

Artist who will take part in the event include big names like Malaika, Revolution, Mitchel Jambo, Ntando, Jonah Moyo, Worship House, Brickz, DJ Cleo and Ringo. The festival starts at 18:00 until Sunday morning and entrance fee is R50 per person (advance payment) or R60 at the gate.