Limpopo MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture Thandi Moraka, has denied allegations of tribalism levelled against her following the Mapungubwe Arts Festival at the weekend.
ALSO READ: Xitsonga Rapper Sho Madjozi wins a BET award
It is alleged that Thandi Moraka grabbed the mic from legendary Xitsonga musician Dr Thomas Chauke while he was performing at Mapungubwe Festival in Polokwane. She allegedly shouted and said she didn’t understand Tsonga music and it was making noise, after taking him off stage.
However, her department has denied the allegations saying it never happened.
Thandi Moraka, MEC of Limpopo Arts & Culture pulled the Mic off Dr Thomas Chauke’s hands while he was performing his music at Mapungubwe Festival in Polokwane. She then shouted that we don’t understand these Tsonga people’s music its making noise.
— Dr Man’s Not Barry Roux (@AdvBarryRoux) December 16, 2019
According to the statement by her department, it reads: “The department wants to make it absolutely clear that the MEC never grabbed the microphone from Dr. Thomas Hasani Chauke, had any contact with him on the stage or uttered any words of hatred towards Xitsonga music and in particular Xitsonga speaking people.”
“The department has also noted a concerted effort of tarnishing the MEC and paint her [sic] as a person who do not like Xitsonga speaking people. The MEC has at all times spoken against tribalism and promotion of nation building and social cohesion amongst the people of Limpopo province.”
The department has also apologised for the bad treatment Thomas Hasani “Shinyori” Chauke allegedly got from stage managers.
The MEC personally met with Dr. Thomas Chauke off stage after his performance on the night and that’s when Dr. Chauke alerted the MEC about the incident.
“The MEC apologised with the manner in which Dr. Chauke was treated on stage by the stage managers. As the department we value him and the contribution he is making in promoting unity and social cohesion in our communities” – the statement reads.
I just wrote somewhere that Limpopo government is full of her tribalist brothers and sisters. No investigation done, someone just sat in his/her room in a holiday like this and type this nonsense about Dr Thomas Chauke pic.twitter.com/uwm3nTIWhG
— Ernest Maphosa (@ernestmaphosa) December 16, 2019
Image Courtesy: observer.co.za