With the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) having recently released a list revealing all the artists that have received funds during the 2020-2021 Covid-19 pandemic, award-winning singer Zandie Khumalo has expressed her frustration at the big fuss made about the list of beneficiaries.
The singer was one of thousands of artists to receive money from the department after the nationwide lockdown caused by the pandemic had a major influence on their ability to generate money to survive.
Taking to her Instagram account she slammed the department, led by newly appointed Minister Gayton McKenzie for making it seem as if a crime was committed, when all artists did was apply through the legal route.
In her post, she wrote:
“It was just R20,000 for me and it was obtained legally…Must we now lose sleep, stop playing with us. Hanging our names like this as if we went to the department and robbed their safe.”
“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 were approved, well at least me, that’s how it went,” she said.
The singer says that she finds it difficult to understand why that was such a crime. She further stated that what she needed was R200 000, but only received R20 000 which was all she had.
“I have a good mind that all of us sue this department, but it will get bankrupt, and we will suffer again,” she said.
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While there have been calls that Gayton’s actions were illegal in terms of the Popi Act, experts reveal that this is not true.
In an interview with the news publication Citizen, Noma-Gcina Mtshontshi, director at Mtshontshi Attorneys Inc., noted the Popi Act states that personal information shouldn’t be disclosed for unintended purposes, but that Gayton’s actions were within the law.
“We’re dealing with artists and creatives who sought support from the government funded by taxpayers, the public. It’s about transparency. Shouldn’t the public know where their tax money goes?” she asked.
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Also see: Zandie Khumalo responds to R22M Netflix deal allegations | Bona Magazine
