Cape Town – Minister of Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, criticised the South African music industry during a speech at Doc Shebeleza’s funeral on Saturday, accusing unions, record labels, and radio stations of exploiting artists while failing to support them during hardships.
He condemned artists’ unions for misusing government funds and neglecting their responsibilities.
“These unions, it’s crime dense, let me tell you. They get money. They’ve been paid millions from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, but there’s no money when artists die,” McKenzie said.
[WATCH] Minister Gayton McKenzie called out record labels for their failure to finance the burials of influential artists, cautioning them that their time is running out. He is urging them to focus on promoting South African music over American music. pic.twitter.com/reJsCmV91j
— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 18, 2025
The minister criticised record labels for not aiding artists’ families during bereavements, and challenged radio stations to prioritise local music to help artists earn royalties.
“The record label bosses. You want to tell me you can’t bury a person?” McKenzie questioned.
He added: “Once a person has contributed towards your business, and you can’t even go to the family and say, ‘Mourn your child. We will look after it.”
McKenzie called for greater accountability and systematic reform to better support South African artists throughout their lives.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/ @MinisterMcK
For more African news, visit Africaninsider
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
