Gayton McKenzie defends actions following Nandi Nyembe's funeral : 'I will not take this abuse'

The Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture of South Africa has come under fire from the industry following the death of actress Nandi Nyembe.

Her passing once again highlighted the significant structural failings within the country’s entertainment industry. 

Nyembe passed away over the weekend at the age of 75, just four months after she publicly appealed for financial support.

Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie, who is the department’s minister, has been named numerous times in the pleas of people in the industry. 

Taking to social media, McKenzie clapped back, lamenting that he will not take the abuse and detailing all the efforts he has made to help Nyembe’s family.

After Nyembe’s public plea for financial support, McKenzie gave her R20 000 and promised to visit Nyembe upon his return from Cape Town to ensure that she receives the necessary support and assistance to get back on her feet financially.

McKenzie, in his statement, said that he visited the actress’s family after her children contacted him and helped the family with taking the body from a government mortuary to a funeral parlour.

“Without the children asking I gave them 10 thousand rand for cake and tea for the many visitors. I also made my driver available to drive the family everywhere they wish to go during this difficult week. I also made another member of my team available with lots of knowledge of funerals to assist them everyday,” he wrote.

Aside from giving the family R10 000 for cake and tea, and making his driver available, McKenzie revealed that the department is paying for the full funeral and made venues available.

“I now see some artist that was nowhere to be seen when help was needed are now everywhere where there is cameras lambasting me and telling lies.”

McKenzie had recently said that the situation of actor Glen Gabela, who also publicly asked for financial support, was being looked into by the department. In his post, he revealed that he had also made personal contributions to the actor’s plea.

“I dispatched a team to go help with painting and renovations. I got a list of furniture needed, I ordered it, and it will be delivered when painting is done. I also send him 10 thousand rand for groceries.”

McKenzie added that soon there will be funeral cover, hospital care and policy payouts and there have been changes made to the Copyright Amendment Bill and engaged TikTok for fair compensation for all. 

At her memorial service, actress Lerato Mvelase, who was one of the programme directors, had sharp words for the department’s deputy director, Sibusiso Tsanyane.

“I know this is not a space where political issues should be addressed, but there is something I need to say,” said Mvelase.

“Mr Sibusiso, I urge you to let the minister know that going forward artists will no longer allow the department to come and celebrate with us. It is not a fight with the department, it is a fight with the system which has been putting actors down for our whole lives,” she said.

IOL