Makhadzi, a BET Award-winning singer, received nearly R230,000 in performance fees from the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture in the last 14 months, despite her recent criticism of government funding for her travel to the US.
The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture’s minister, Gayton McKenzie, has ordered that artists, sports stars, and creatives who received financing from the department be publicly identified, along with the reasons and sums received.
Makhadzi was the first artist to be announced on Tuesday evening.
The government clarified in a statement that Makhadzi did not get departmental funding for her journey to Los Angeles for the BET Awards, where she won Best New International Act.
“DSAC strongly rejects the assertion that it has not supported Makhadzi. Over the past 14 months, Makhadzi has been booked by DSAC to perform in several national engagements, receiving as much as R230,000.”
Media Statement
Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has noted the public reaction that followed the recent instruction by Minister Gayton McKenzie, for the Department to publish names of creatives & athletes who have received money from the Department#InspiringANationOfWinners pic.twitter.com/zO0erOJCmr— Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (@SportArtsCultur) July 9, 2024
In a Facebook live, Makhadzi reacted to a statement that presented her as a government beneficiary, despite the fact that she was paid for her performance.
“The whole country is waiting for people, who were eating money to be revealed, and they are failing and they are starting with me and I never ate any cent.
“They feel I am quiet, I can’t speak for myself, they are taking advantage of me… They have to use me as an example. I can’t allow that,” said an emotional Makhadzi.
“I didnt eat any money, they must reveal the people that ate the money for the department, they must reveal the real names of the people that were funded unlawfully….
“I’ve been doing a lot of things that need funding and no one has been funding me and I was okay with that, I never said anything.”
Makhadzi went on to say that she wants money from bookings as she goes to the studio and works hard to make music.
“I don’t want free money, I was just telling my truth.”
