New Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, recently ordered his department to publish a list of beneficiaries who received funding during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This came after artists were complaining about government not funding them, specifically award-winning singer Makhadzi, who recently shared that she had to borrow money from a loan shark to make her way to the recently BET Awards ceremony held in Los Angeles.
Since its release on Wednesday, July 10, the 90 page list, consisting of 3 962 artists who received funding totalling over R72 million, has become a hot topic on social media.
Social media user and some artists that have benefited from the social relief grant have taken time out to interrogated the list and share their discoveries and opinions on social media platforms.
Local musician David Scott, aka The Kiffness, whose name was on the list for receiving R20k, shared: “The DSAC was allocated R300M in Covid relief funds to pay out to artists who could prove loss of income & paid out R72M. (I got R20k for proving I lost over R100k for shows I was forced to cancel due to Covid).
“Wonder what happened to the other R228M?”
The DSAC was allocated R300M in Covid relief funds to pay out to artists who could prove loss of income & paid out R72M.
— The Kiffness (@TheKiffness) July 10, 2024
(I got R20k for proving I lost over R100k for shows I was forced to cancel due to Covid).
Wonder what happened to the other R228M?https://t.co/AkhIjd2lT0
Kelly Khumalo and Zandie Khumalo-Gumede were also on the list.
Khumalo-Gumede took to Instagram to share that she wanted R200k but only received R20k.
“A call for applications was issued by the Dept of Arts and Culture for people who lost work and income during that dreadful and horrible time and we applied, complied and we were approved, well at least me that's how it went...
“I wanted 200k kahle kahle bangincisha (they cut me off) 🤣🤣🤣,” read part of her post.
The list also showed that Somizi Mhlongo’s ex-husband, Mohale Motaung got R75k.
Angered netizens questioned why Motaung was paid such a large amount while other artist received between R10k and R20k.
@TheGBrown1 commented: “wow which criteria coz this does not make sense to me.”
wow which criteria coz this does not make sense to me
— The Great Brown (@TheGBrown1) July 10, 2024
@lenyasalaafrica asked: “Is he an artist? Only know him as Somizi’s ex. I guess him dating Somizi qualified him as an artist.”
Is he an artist? Only know him as Somizi’s ex. I guess him dating Somizi qualified him as an artist
— Lenyasa_La_ Manyasa (@lenyasalaafrica) July 10, 2024
Meanwhile, after reviewing the list himself, McKenzie took to X to post, “We already have people who came forward that didn’t receive money nor applied but are listed as having received.
“We have people not aligned to the arts who received money, we saw people who are not from SA benefiting. Wait & see after all lists has been released today & tomorrow.”
We already have people who came forward that didn’t receive money nor applied but are listed as having received.We have people not aligned to the arts who received money, we saw people who are not from SA benefitting. Wait & see after all lists has been released today & tomorrow. https://t.co/Oatnvak8ft
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 11, 2024
He added: “We will not be deterred, this is not your money, this is not my money, this is public money and the public must know who got money from them. @SportArtsCulturs must show that they were there for artist during the worst times and also expose those that misused the opportunity.”
We will not be deterred, this is not your money, this is not my money, this is public money and the public must know who got money from them. @SportArtsCultur must show that they were there for artist during the worst times and also expose those that misused the opportunity.