The Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture’s newly appointed minister Gayton McKenzie’s directives have caused a major issue.
McKenzie ordered that artists, athletes, and creatives who received funding from the department be named publicly, along with the reasons and amounts received.
Makhadzi was the first artist to be announced on Tuesday evening. The Limpopo singer collected R230,000 in performance fees from the department over the last 14 months.
McKenzie clarified on Twitter that Makhadzi did not get grant support from the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture, but rather provided a service, resolving any doubt.
@MakhadziSA is not a recipient of grant funding @SportArtsCultur, she delivered a service. The IT team is fixing the first link because there are still two others to follow. I will speak to @MakhadziSA shortly and revert after understanding what happened regarding that statement
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 10, 2024
The minister appears to have been responding to Makhadzi’s concerns that she had no government aid for her journey to the United States, where she returned with a BET Award.
McKenzie’s office issued a statement stating that they had paid the Limpopo singer R230,000 for performances over the previous 14 months.
The declaration occurred at the same time that the minister attempted to publish a list of artists who received government grants during the Covid-19 lockdown and pandemic.
McKenzie stated that while there were fine and well-meaning persons in the sports, arts, and cultural sectors who received grant cash, he was surprised to see people getting DSAC funding allege they were not supported.
He stated that the lists were being shared for openness.
Makhadzi claimed she had performed on June 16 and during the Presidential Inauguration, but she had received no funding from DSAC.
“The statement from the department is creating a lot of confusion… to give an impression that Makhadzi is one of the recipients and is now being published as stated by the Minister Mr. Gayton McKenzie.
“Makhadzi is not a recipient and the department should release the list and stop diverting attention,” her team said in a statement.
Makhadzi, in a Facebook Live video, told fans she only received money for her bookings, which she worked hard for.
“We can confirm that the department contracted Makhadzi to perform for the June 16 event and the Presidential inauguration, which she did (rendered a service) and the department paid her. That is not funding but a payment for services rendered,” said Makhadzi’s team.
— Makhadzi (@MakhadziSA) July 10, 2024
In a statement, the Department refuted Makhadzi’s claim that she had not been supported by the government towards her BET trip; as they had supported her by booking her on several occasions.
“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.”
