The involvement of politicians in the show business industry is noticeable only during the sad occasions, according to a Durban-based events promoter and artists manager Lindo “Dogg Dbn” Buthelezi.
This after the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government’s involvement in putting together an elegant funeral service of Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo. The sensational gqom heavyweight, fondly known as Mampintsha, was laid to rest in Durban on Friday last week.
In an open letter to KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube on Tuesday, Buthelezi wrote that the death of Mampintsha should be a turning point in the arts and entertainment.
“First, I want to commend and send the most sincere appreciation to all those who made the decision to help lay umfowethu [my brother] to rest in such a dignified manner,” he wrote.
“It was a very great send-off and as his friends and colleagues, we appreciate seeing you active in things that have to do with our industry, even though it is on a sad occasion. Mampintsha is a legend, the KwaZulu-Natal entertainment [space] is filled with fire because of that man’s talent.
“My only concern is, and I had to write to you, when I got home after the funeral people were talking about how ‘beautiful and posh’ the funeral was. That just broke me, because I know this is not the kind of lifestyle my brother lived.
“Our province and the city failed Mampintsha like all other artists. What’s the purpose of having an expensive funeral when Mampintsha has a kid that needs to go to good schools and needs to live a comfortable life?”
Buthelezi wrote further: “We wanted to do a big show with Mampintsha, but we couldn’t find sponsorships from any of your departments. During Covid-19 lockdown, we were broke and got no help from any of you, even after the money was [made available by the government] as a relief [measure] for [struggling] artists.
“When the man is dead, you remember him and you take up podiums and give a false impression that you cared about him or supported his initiatives. That in itself is not only wrong but shameful as well.
“In your speech, I didn’t hear anything about plans for his son, because I know for a fact that he [Mampintsha] would rather have you use all that money for the benefit of his son – money paid for his [son’s] education rather than a flashy funeral.”
Mampintsha died on December 24 after he reportedly suffered a minor stroke.
He and his wife, gqom queen Bongekile “Babes Wodumo” Simelane, starred on their reality TV show Uthando Lodumo.
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