Bonang Matheba challenges minister: ‘local artists need funding’

South African media personality Bonang Matheba has called out Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, regarding his priorities for the creative industry. In a public exchange that began on September 14, 2026, on X, she urged him to prioritize support for local artists and major national ceremonies before working on bringing Jay-Z’s anniversary show to South Africa.

Gayton McKenzie explained that he had met with Roc Nation representatives during a trip to France. Invited to Jay-Z’s JAŸ-Z30 concert at the Stade de France on September 10, he expressed his desire to see this show presented to the South African public.

In response, Bonang Matheba cited the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) and the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs). “Local artists need funding,” she emphasized, urging the minister to start with these events and the needs of South African creators.

The exchange continued on September 15. The presenter called for better conditions for artists in the country and also revisited the debate surrounding the proposed amendment to South Africa’s copyright law.

Gayton McKenzie defends his strategy

The minister responded that using $15 million of public funds to bring in an artist would, in his view, be a poor decision. However, he defended the idea of facilitating the organization of major international events to position South Africa as a key entertainment destination.

Gayton McKenzie also stated that the SAFTAs had received their largest budget during his tenure. To illustrate the potential benefits of large concerts, he cited the jobs related to Chris Brown’s shows held at the FNB Stadium in December 2024.

The minister assured that he supports local artists. He specifically mentioned his assistance to the Scorpion Kings ahead of their concert on September 19 at the FNB Stadium, an event expected to draw 70,000 spectators.

At this stage, the proposal to bring the JAŸ-Z30 show to South Africa remains a suggestion put forth by the minister: no official date or reservation has been announced. The project celebrates the 30th anniversary of the album Reasonable Doubt and the 25th anniversary of The Blueprint.