Cape Town — The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has condemned what it considers the “unacceptable” conduct of Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie.
The controversy arose when McKenzie ordered the department to publish a full list of South African artists and creatives who received funding during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/2021.
According to SABC, the list was made public following complaints from BET Award-winning singer Makhadzi, who expressed dissatisfaction with the department’s lack of support for her attendance at the US award ceremony.
McKenzie had also made an announcement earlier this week, to stop funding “superfans” to go to international sporting events to support South Africa.
Many South Africans remember “Mama Joy” who attended the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024 and was painted as South Africa’s biggest sports fan.
Reportedly, Mama Joy and Botha Msila’s trip to the Rugby World Cup in France last year cost the department R1.3 million, TimesLIVE reported.
In a statement, the ANCYL’s national spokesperson, Zama Khanyase, said it was unacceptable for a department, that should be supporting creatives and fans, to undermine them instead of uplifting them.
He pointed out that Mama Joy Chauke was made fan of the tournament following the conclusion of the 2023 Rugby World Cup and she proudly represented South Africa, stating “My Country, My Pride”.
“Creatives and artists play a crucial role in nation-building, economic growth, and development. They contribute to the cultural richness of our society and are vital to our national identity,” Khanyase said.
ANCYL CONDEMNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, ARTS, AND CULTURE’S UNETHICAL ACTIONS UNDER MINISTER GAYTON MCKENZIE’S LEADERSHIP.#ANCYLatWork pic.twitter.com/S6ZhdqSMcA
— ANCYL (@ANCYLhq) July 10, 2024
He also offered support for Makhadzi and other artists who have not received the level of support they expected from the department, despite the department saying it provided her with R230,000 in performance fees.
The ANCYL said McKenzie, appointed by the Patriotic Alliance to the national government, has brought in “unprofessional ethics and intentional lack of consideration for artists’ dignity”.
He said the Parliamentary Committee on Sports, Arts, and Culture should hold the department accountable for its actions.
“Gayton McKenzie should prioritse understanding the department and fostering positive relationships with creatives, artists, and superfans, rather than attacking them,” Khanyase said.
The ANCYL reiterated its commitment to advocating for the rights and dignity of South African artists and said it will not sit back and watch the department abuse artists, creatives, and superfans.
“We will fiercely oppose any exploitation or mistreatment of those who enrich our cultural and sporting heritage. We will continue to fight relentlessly for a cultural and sporting environment where every artist receives the support and recognition they deserve, free from unnecessary public scrutiny and financial exploitation,” the youth league said.
[NEWS] The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture paid out more than R72 million to 3962 artists during 2020-2021.
The money was to support the artists during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic when the country was in lockdown. pic.twitter.com/6RswPY4CHd
— Plex Culture (@PlexCulture) July 10, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
