After a long wait, the list of artists funded by the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture during the Covid-19 pandemic has been released. The public eagerly anticipated this list, wanting to see who received financial support.
The newly revealed list includes many unfamiliar names, with only a few well-known artists. Notably, Arthur Mafokate and his son both received R20,000 each, sparking significant public attention. Mafokate, previously involved in the Lottery scandal, appears to be receiving funds from multiple sources, highlighting disparities in privilege.
Another name catching public interest is David Scott, known as The Kiffness. Despite previously suggesting he did not receive government funding, Scott is listed among the beneficiaries.
The list also shows varied amounts of funding, with some artists receiving up to R75,000 and others as little as R6,000. This has led to questions about the criteria used to determine these amounts.
South Africans are now calling for an independent audit of the department’s funding process, especially after noticing inconsistencies such as one artist, Alex-Ann Keppie, appearing twice with different amounts and a missing entry at number 85. The public seeks clarity on whether these issues are mistakes or indicative of deeper problems.
With this initial list focusing on Covid-19 relief, the public eagerly awaits further disclosures on other funding distributions.