Gayton McKenzie slams those who have failed SA artists at Doc Shebeleza’s funeral
Minister of Sports Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie calls out the government and different sectors at the funeral of Victor ‘Doc Shebeleza’ Bogopane.
The music icon’s funeral service took place on Saturday, 18 January at the Old Apostolic church in Fairland, Johannesburg.
Doc died after batlling illness; he requested for donations as he needed the money for a second operation.
McKenzie spoke about the late Doc Shebeleza on podium.
“This was a happy person, he lived a happy life. He was a giving man, a selfless man. He didn’t just look after his own career but he started the careers of people. We’re here to say thank you,” said McKenzie.
“I was supposed to meet him on Tuesday and I didn’t know we’d meet here at his funeral. For me this was a great lesson.”
He further slammed the government and Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA) and radio stations.
“We as the government have failed artists in this country. I’m not pointing fingers at anyone and I’m also part of the government. Artists can’t even buy furniture because they don’t have a bank statement, they’re not recognised as workers,” he said.
“They’re exploited by everyone and I don’t know how they survive except by God’s grace.”
“I’ve been in this industry my whole life and I understand this industry. I want to tell artists that things are going to change. But they also need to take themselves very seriously.”
After promising a change, Gayton McKenzie focused on radio stations who fail to promote local music.
“Radio stations do not play local music but once an artist is dead they’ll bombard us with his or her music. Why can’t they play local music? You’re busy impressing people who don’t even know you exist, they don’t even take you seriously,” he lambasted them.
He also slammed CCIFSA and record labels: “Artists are also exploiting each other. They get millions from the government. CCIFSA is the number one crime organisation. They get millions from the Department of Sports Arts and Culture but there’s no money when artists die. They cannot even contribute towards the funeral yet they claim to represent artists,” said Gayton
