GOSPEL artist Kholeka Dubula Sosibo has the KZN Department of Sports, Arts and Culture by the balls.
She and other gospel artists performed at Uvukile Gospel festival in April, but they were never paid.
The event was organised by Pastor Mjosty Mbhele and Irvin Sihlophe.
This event was held in Port Shepstone, South of KZN at Ugu Sports and Leisure centre.
She recently lambasted the department on her social media platforms, writing: “SortsArtsKZN I have worked for Vukile Gospel Festival on the 17 April 2022.
The promoters were in partnership with SportsArtsKZN. Till today I have not been paid. This is called bad treatment of artists that you were supposed to look after. SportsArtsKZN pay all artists.”
Daily Sun has learnt that more than fifty artists including Ncadweni, Thobekile Mkhwanazi, Avante, Betusile Mcinga, Phindi P, Sneizy Msomi were not been paid.
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Speaking to Daily Sun, Kholeka said: “When I performed at that event, the understanding was that I’d be paid within thirty days. But this never happened. I submitted invoices and everything that was required of me, but there was no payment. I am deeply affected by this mainly because I’m still recovering from lockdown and this payment would have made a huge difference in my life. I am tired of waiting, so I am aggrieved. These government officials are getting their salaries every month but they just don’t care about artists. I worked and I want my money.”
Another aggrieved artist is Butho Vuthela, who said: “The KZN department must give me my money. I have a family to take care of. I had to pay my band members because they worked. I incurred a lot of costs with the hope I’d be paid. I am already in debt due to this non-payment. When I took this booking I used my own transport from Eastern Cape to KZN but now they are telling us stories.”
Spokesperson for the department, Phathisa Mfuyo said: “These artists must wait. As the department, we don’t operate like an ATM machine. This was not our event and we still have to follow some processes, protocols and signatures from the head of department. Then we will take it to treasury department for approval. I don’t even know when they will be paid.”
