The Springboks’ Rugby World Cup trophy tour debacle caused a stir between KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Siboniso Duma, the province’s MEC for economic development, tourism and environment affairs.
And as if that was not enough, many people have now taken to social media to lambast Dube-Ncube for empty promises she allegedly made during the funeral service of Mandla Maphumulo, the late member of award-winning kwaito group Big Nuz.
It is alleged that Dube told thousands of mourners who had gathered at the Durban International Convention Centre, where the funeral service was held, that she fought for Maphumulo’s Original Shandis vodka to find its way into the shelves of liquor stores.
With less than a month remaining to the first anniversary of Maphumulo’s passing, the musician’s fans, who was affectionately known by his stage name Mampintsha, are complaining that they are yet to see the vodka on the shelves.
Maphumulo died after he suffered a minor stroke on December 24 2022.
The musician, aged 40 at the time of his death, had been admitted to the hospital a week before his passing.
Fans lash out
An angry fan told Sunday World: “Politicians shouldn’t be given a chance to address the public on entertainment issues because they are failures, they fail in delivering basic services to citizens.
“We are just over 11 months [since Mampintsha’s passing and still there is] no Original Shandis vodka at [leading] liquor stores. Politicians are just compulsive liars.”
Another fan lamented: “She [Dube-Ncube] deserves the treatment she got during the Springbok World Cup trophy tour, she has no identity in arts and culture.
“Musicians were [not] treated well during the Covid-19 [pandemic], which was a sign that politicians care about themselves, not about citizens.”
A musician who did not want to be identified said Maphumulo’s widow Babes Wodumo, born Bongekile Simelane, is still waiting on the premier’s promise.
“She is seeing people for who they really are, because a lot of promises were made but it was just lip service to comfort her and with her son with lies,” said the musician.
“Everyone has just pushed back from her, which is sad. I remember the premier saying the Original Shandis vodka will keep Mampintsha’s legacy alive, but what’s happening [now]?”
When contacted for comment, Joseph Cubai from the premier’s office shifted the blame to the previous administration.
“It’s something that happened with the previous administration, so it needs proper consultation. It can be something for a day, we need time,” said Cubai.
Babes Wodumo could not be reached for comment. She also did not respond to phone calls at the time of publishing.
