Chomee releases statement addressing NAC funding scandal. Image via Instagram @chomee1
Is it ‘because I’m a black woman?’: Chomee responds to R2m NAC claims
Musician Chomee has responded to the allegations made against her in relation to an alleged pay-out of R2 million from the NAC.
Chomee releases statement addressing NAC funding scandal. Image via Instagram @chomee1
Thulisile Madihlaba, known by her stage name Chomee, has released a statement on Sunday 28 March in which she addresses recent allegations about her receiving R2 million from the National Arts Council (NAC) Relief Fund.
CHOMEE ADDRESSES NAC RELIEF FUND CLAIMS
A few days ago, a source revealed that Chomee received R2 million from the NAC to fund a project that never saw the light of day. The source further stated that Chomee splashed out on a new luxury car after receiving the payment.
Chomee first responded to these claims by posting a picture of the printed article to her Instagram with the word “LIES” written across it.
She thereafter released an official statement addressing the claims head on.
CHOMEE: IS IT BECAUSE ‘I AM A BLACK WOMAN?”
The statement released by Chomee, titled “Chomee Statement on Malicious Attacks about NAC Funding”, opens with the sentence: “It is indeed a sad day in South Africa”.
She explains that she feels like this is an attack on her as a female who is being vilified by men in white-owned and -controlled newsrooms for applying and receiving funding like thousands of other applicants.
She then questions whether this is because she is a black woman.
“Is it because I am not deserving of funding, or because I am a black woman? The list released shows women of all races who applied for the funding, got approved and some even received part payment and no one is asking them anything,” said Chomee’s statement.
According to Chomee, she has been affected by the lockdown and therefore deserving of the R2 million funding.
“I was affected by the lockdown like all other practitioners and lost a lot of work. Why then am I under this scrutiny? Is it because a black woman is not deserving of a R2 million funding? Is it because a black woman cannot manage money or projects meant to empower other black women in the industry?”
ARTHUR MAFOKATE NAC FUNDING ALLEGATIONS
Chomee then references her connection to former boyfriend Arthur Mafokate who allegedly — indirectly and directly –received more than R10 million along with his children and sisters from the NAC Relief Fund.
“Were they asked whom they dated before applying, or is it just me?” she added.
Last week Friday, Mafokate denied that he received the funding after being called out by Chicco Twala in an open letter for applying to the NAC Relief Fund meant for struggling artists despite being financially stable.
CHOMEE CLAIMS SHE NEVER RECEIVED THE MONEY
Chomee claims that she has not yet received a cent of funding to start her planned project.
“It is falsely reported that I received R2 million and to date I have not received a cent in my account to start this project.
ANGRY ARTISTS PROTEST AGAINST THE NAC
In the meantime, artists have been staging a sit-in at the NAC in Johannesburg, Gauteng, as well as at Artscape, in Cape Town.
The artists demand a complete list of beneficiaries for the R300 million Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP), as well as clarity around the mismanagement of funds.
According to Eyewitness News, the council has up to date paid R68.4 million to 512 beneficiaries and a further R216 million will be paid to 862 beneficiaries in the weeks to come.
