Makhadzi, a multi-award-winning musician whose real name is Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, has denied receiving funding from the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture.
This comes after the department’s Tuesday statement, in which it stated that Makhadzi had support and that the department had booked gigs for her worth nearly R230 000.
Through her team, Makhadzi clarified the claims of misleading information in a statement released early on Wednesday morning.
Reads the statement: “We can confirm that the department contacted Makhadzi to perform at a June 16 event and presidential inauguration, which she did and the department paid her.
“That is not funding but payment for service rendered.”
According to the team of the Number 1 hitmaker, the statement from the department caused confusion from the first paragraph to the last.
Makhadzi is not a recipient
The team added that Gayton McKenzie, the recently appointed Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, claimed Makhadzi was one of the recipients and that her identity was now public in the government’s statement.
McKenzie said on Monday he had given the go-ahead to publish a list of athletes, artists, and other creatives who had received funding from the department, along with the sums and explanations for their grants.
“Makhadzi is not a recipient, and the department should release the list and stop diverting attention.
“It has been a long and bumpy road, and the ultimate goal is being realised, and no misleading information or smear campaign such as the one from the department aiming at destroying or dampening the spirit of Team Makhadzi will find expression.”
The premier of Limpopo Phophi Ramathuba is scheduled to formally welcome Makhadzi on Thursday following her victory on BET in America last week.
Also Read: McKenzie shuts tap on super fans Mama Joy, Botha Msila
Which other artist have been helped with bookings by the department of sports ,arts and culture?
Which other artist have been helped with bookings by the department of sports ,arts and culture? The problem of the funding for artists need a new and fresh discussion because as artists we are not happy with the support we are getting from the government. The government seem to think the only thing artists need are grants in aid, artists need more than just grants in aid, they need platforms to showcase, they need access to government infrastructure like military bases and airports to shoot their films and movies.
Artists need government to protect them against piracy and payola. Female artists are sexually harassed on daily basis just to get a recording deal or perform in a gig and even for airplay and interviews. Artists are paid peanuts for their work, they do not have housing allowances, funeral benefits and medical Aid. Artists are ravaged by IADS, drugs and alcohol. They are dying of mental illnesses because of stress and anxiety. The future looks very doom and gloom for South African artists.
The gravy train is empty