Dept denies not supporting Makhadzi

THE Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC) has refuted claims that it didn't support singer Makhadzi financially for her trip to the BET Awards in Los Angeles.

The clarification came through a statement released on Tuesday, July 9, following Makhadzi's disclosure at OR Tambo International Airport that she received no help from the DSAC following her BET Award win.

Ndivhudzanni Ralivhona, popularly known as Makhadzi, has brought immense pride to Mzansi by clinching an international accolade.

The DSAC's statement highlighted its ongoing support for the artist, despite recent allegations.

The statement read, in part: "The DSAC has received inquiries from the media about a lack of financial support provided to Makhadzi by the national government on her recent trip to the BET Awards in the US. Makhadzi made the country proud by receiving a BET Award for Best New International Act.

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"The DSAC strongly rejects the assertion that it has not supported Makhadzi. Over the past 14 months, Makhadzi has been booked by the DSAC to perform in several national engagements, receiving as much as R230 000."

In response, Makhadzi issued her own statement to clarify her position regarding the DSAC funding.

"I would like to categorically state that I've never received or applied for any funding from the DSAC in the past 14 months, as stated in their statement. We can confirm that the department contacted me to perform for the June 16 event and the Presidential inauguration, for which I was paid. This was not funding but payment for services rendered," she said.

Makhadzi further criticised the department's statement for creating confusion and giving a false impression that she was a recipient of the DSAC funds.

"The statement from the department is creating a lot of confusion, from the heading to the last paragraph, and seeks to give the impression that I'm one of the recipients, as stated by Minister Gayton McKenzie. I'm not a recipient, and the department should release the list and stop diverting attention," she said in a statement.

The controversy follows Minister Gayton McKenzie's announcement to publish a comprehensive list of all beneficiaries of the DSAC funds, including artists, creatives, and sportspeople, detailing the amounts and purposes for the funding.

"I've given an instruction that a list be published of all artists, creatives, and sportspeople who have been receiving money from the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture, inclusive of amounts and reasons. The time when only a select connected few benefits is over," said McKenzie.