Makhadzi and Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture Entangled In Back-And-Forth Over Funding And Sponsorship
BET Award-winning singer-songwriter and performer Makhadzi and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture have been involved in an online back-and-forth regarding funding after the Department publicised its list of beneficiaries in the creative space.
The disagreement, which has come as a he-said-she-said of media statements, is centered around the allegation that the department hasn’t been supporting Makhadzi, a claim that the musician not only agreed with but doubled down on by urging the department to not spread confusion with false claims.
Makhadzi | SUPPLIED
The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, and Sports (DSAC) released its much-awaited list of COVID relief beneficiaries, spotlighting an audited cohort of individuals within the creative sector who received sponsorship from the government when the country was crippled by perennial lockdowns and restrictions caused by the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Published on the 10th of July 2024, the Sports, Arts and Culture Department curated this list of beneficiaries to cover the years 2020 and 2021. The total number of beneficiaries contained in the 90-pager amounted to over 3900 people; however, some of the names in the document are duplicated. The list accounts for a whooping R72 million which made its way out of the Department to the hands of designated people.
Among those who benefitted from the government’s sponsorship were public figures such as Arthur Mafokate, Caiphus Semenya, MacG, David Scott (The Kiffness), and Fifi Cooper, among many others.
The publication of the list was initiated by a directive from newly appointed Minister of the Arts, Culture and Sports Gayton McKenzie, who has been vocal about transparency and about the department’s role in helping creatives within the sector.
Read the list here.
Minister of DSAC Gayton McKenzie
Along with the list, the Department issued a statement as a direct rebuttal regarding criticism directed at the government for failing to support Limpopo-born musician and entertainer Makhadzi, who scooped a BET Award for Viewers’ Choice: Best New International Act. In the statement, the Department vehemently denied not supporting Makhadzi, pointing out the government did book and pay her for performances and services rendered.
“DSAC strongly rejects the assertion that it has not supported Makhadzi. Over the past 14 months, Makhadzi has been booked by DSAC to perform at several national engagements, receiving as much as 230 000 rand,” the statement said regarding the Makhadazi criticism.
Makhadzi Entertainment responded to the Department’s statement, offering clarity on the confusion behind the issue of funding by stating that she was only paid for her services and not necessarily given a helping hand by the Department.
“We can confirm that the department contacted Makhadzi to perform for the June 16 event and [the] Presidential inauguration which she did (rendered a service) and the department paid her, that is not funding but a payment for service rendered.
“The statement from the department is creating a lot of confusion from the heading to the last paragraph and seeks to give an impression that Makhadzi is one of the recipients and is now being published as stated by Minister Mr. Gayton McKenzie. Makhadzi is not a recipient, and the department should release the list and stop diverting attention,” said the statement from Makhadzi’s communication team.
A post on X from Makhadzi with the statement attached addressing the claims of the DSAC:
Makhadzi’s denial concerning the government’s assistance conjured up the scandal of the “Kokovha” hitmaker enlisting the help of a loan shark to help her fly to the US for the BET Awards last week. The African Queen 2.0 star revealed that the money she’s been making has been going to the South African Revenue Services and that her financial woes have been largely due to lack of education about paying tax.
The 28-year-old singer-songwriter also did a Live to give more clarity about the Department’s stance on sponsoring her, shedding more light on the amount she received from the department, denying that she ever got 230 000 rands as the statement asserted, and confirming the loan shark debacle.
Watch Makhadzi below:
South Africans on X rallied behind Makhadzi after the release of the DSAC’s statement.
Sizwe Dlomo reposted a video of Makhadzi detailing her financial struggles regarding her trip to the BETs and said: “But ke guys, it’s unfair what they did to Makhadzi. Badlala ngaye (they are playing with her) this lady.”
@TheGyal posted, “This statement from the department of Sports, Arts and Culture is undermining Makhadzi’s hard work and talent. You can’t compare funds allocated to Mama Joy who is just being a fan against funds paid to Makhadzi for her professional services.”
@TwaRSA26 said: “So the department of Sports, Arts and Culture did not have money to give Makhadzi who actually won the BET Award but had money [to] Mama Joy to various trips that do not benefit our country.”