Cape Town – Bonang Matheba has challenged Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie over his plans to bring a Jay-Z concert to South Africa, telling him to focus on funding opportunities for local artists first.
The presenter and businesswoman questioned McKenzie after he shared details of his attendance at the JAŸ-Z30 concert in Paris and said he had pushed for the event to be brought to South Africa.
“Brought to SA? Why? What about the SAMAs? SAFTAs? The locals need money, Sir!! Let’s start THERE!!” Bonang wrote on X.
She later took the criticism further.
“Let’s start with creating conditions IN South Africa FOR South African artists first. Respectfully, getting budgets for cultural events is literally your job!” she wrote.
Previously Bonang’s criticised McKenzie after he shared his Paris trip, saying the minister’s comments had sparked a debate about whether international events should take priority while local artists continue to face funding challenges.
Let’s start with creating conditions IN South Africa FOR South African artists first. Respectfully, getting budgets for cultural events is literally your job!
— Bonang Matheba 👑 (@Bonang) September 15, 2026
The latest exchange comes as McKenzie’s department faces scrutiny over its financial management.
The Auditor-General recently told Parliament that the department was not properly keeping track of some of the money it distributes, while a follow-up investigation confirmed fraud involving some beneficiaries.
McKenzie was absent from the parliamentary briefing, with MPs told he had sent his apologies because he was attending the announcement of the 2027 Cricket World Cup match schedule in Cape Town. His deputy was also absent.
The parliamentary scrutiny has added another dimension to Bonang’s criticism.
Her comments were initially about whether South Africa should host a major Jay-Z spectacle. But they now come against wider questions about how public money is managed and whether enough support reaches South Africa’s creative sector.
There is no evidence that the proposed Jay-Z concert would be funded by taxpayers, and McKenzie has not said that public money would be used for the event.
The minister has previously argued that taking South African culture to international platforms can create opportunities for local creatives.
Address it PUBLICLY!
— Bonang Matheba 👑 (@Bonang) September 15, 2026
His department has also said it is investing in the creative economy.
According to the South African government, the department has allocated R1.809 billion to arts and culture promotion and development for the 2026/27 financial year. It also says nearly R400 million has been secured through the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme to create 10,000 work opportunities in the creative sector.
This is not the first time Bonang has publicly challenged an arts and culture minister over support for the entertainment industry.
She previously criticised the late former minister Nathi Mthethwa over issues affecting South African entertainers and the creative sector.
Brought to SA? Why? What about the SAMAs? SAFTAs? The locals need money, Sir!! Let’s start THERE!!
— Bonang Matheba 👑 (@Bonang) September 14, 2026
Her latest comments put McKenzie under the spotlight at a time when Parliament is already questioning aspects of his department’s financial controls and performance.
The department spent 99.6% of its R6.3 billion budget in the 2025/26 financial year but achieved 80% of its targets, according to figures presented to Parliament.
Bonang’s argument remains focused on the same issue: South African artists should have access to stronger support and opportunities at home.
McKenzie has not publicly responded to Bonang’s latest posts.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
