Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture Reveals Pandemic Beneficiaries List Amidst Controversy
Image Source: Chief Justice Raymond Zondo administers the oath to Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie at the swearing-in ceremony of ministers from his Government of National Unity Cabinet. Picture: GCIS
Published by Everything Za News
Johannesburg — In a bid for transparency, the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture released a list on Wednesday detailing the artists and sportspeople who received financial support during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The release of the list fulfills a promise made by the newly-appointed minister, Gayton McKenzie.
A History of Select Beneficiaries
Over the years, the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture has been criticized for seemingly favoring a select group of artists and creatives. This perception was fueled in 2022 when actress Natasha Thahane revealed she received R1 million in funding to study in the USA. Thahane, granddaughter of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, disclosed on the popular show Podcast And Chill that former Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete, had facilitated this funding.
In 2021, former SABC sports commentator Owen Ndlovu benefited from the department’s Mzansi Golden Economy initiative. The department paid R2 million to Ndlovu’s company, Away From Here Trading, to monitor musicians’ royalties based on radio airplay. However, the company allegedly failed to deliver on its promises and did not adequately report how the funds were spent.
The 2020-2021 Beneficiaries
The newly released list includes prominent figures such as actress Zikhona Sodlaka, athlete Akani Simbine, filmmaker and photographer Adriaan Louw, and artists Arno Carstens and Kelly Khumalo.
You can click here to view the full list.
Makhadzi’s Clarification
Award-winning artist Makhadzi, who was reported to have received R230,000 from the department, has come forward to clarify the situation. Recently, Makhadzi resorted to loan sharks to fund her trip to Los Angeles for the BET Awards, where she won the Best New International Act award.
The Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture stated that it had paid Makhadzi R230,000 over the last 14 months for her performances at various events. However, Makhadzi’s management team, Makhadzi Entertainment, refuted this, stating she never received or applied for any such funding during the mentioned period.
“The statement from the department is creating a lot of confusion and seeks to give an impression that Makhadzi is one of the recipients,” the management team said in a statement.
A Call for Accountability
Minister Gayton McKenzie’s decision to release the list of beneficiaries aims to address longstanding concerns about the department’s transparency and fairness in distributing funds. The move is expected to prompt further scrutiny and calls for accountability within the department.
As the public and industry stakeholders digest the newly released information, the department faces increasing pressure to ensure that its support programs are equitable and transparent. Minister McKenzie’s commitment to transparency marks a significant step towards rebuilding trust and integrity within the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture.
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