Producer and record label boss Arthur Mafokate has responded to claims that he has received over R10 million in funding from the the National Arts Council.
In an article in the Daily Sun, allegations were made that the former Kwaito star had received R10 million in funding for companies directly and indirectly linked to him.
This money allegedly came from the Covid-19 relief fund that was meant to help artists stay afloat during the lockdown.
“He and his family receive over R10 million from NAC. But we know he did not do this alone. Someone from the NAC helped him,” a source told the newspaper.
In a statement seen by Drum, Arthur claims this report is misinformation and that the allegations are malicious.
“The National Arts Council put out a call for applications for both individuals and for companies/organisations to propose projects that would create employment and income for those in the creative industry,” the statement reads.
“Various organisations and companies with capacity and capability proposed projects to help benefit the industry. Each proposal submitted was to benefit the relevant organisation’s field of expertise and those in that field.
"To those who insinuate receipt of funding by me and those related to me, as if due process and procedures were not followed by us in submitting proposals like everyone else in the industry – you would do well to inform yourselves as to how these funding programmes work.
According to NAC records that are in possession of the Daily Sun, Arthur’s record label 999 records was approved for more than R1 million and Roadshow Marketing, a company owned solely by him, was approved for R2 million.
But Arthur insists he has not received any money from the NAC and says he also feels personally attacked by how the NAC has handled these allegations.
“Greatly concerning also is the narrative now being made by NAC on this matter, in as far as making statements and conducting interviews where those of us who applied legitimately are not defended and insinuations of decisions to no longer honour commitments towards the funding promised to us is slowly becoming the presented scenario.
“It has become suspiciously clear that there are personnel within the NAC that are playing a divisive role – selectively sending communication to other parties and then releasing information on funding allocations without having signed contracts with beneficiaries, which is completely unethical and unprofessional. They are fuelling the fire and feeding into the fixed narrative that some of us are corrupt, and unlawfully benefited from the scheme, without producing any irrefutable evidence,” he says.
In addition to allegations of Arthur benefiting from the fund, it was claimed that other companies directly linked to him also received money from the NAC.
Black Technical Production Association, owned by Mafokate and his son Lesego, was approved for more than R849 000, and Lesego is said to have received R20 000 from the NAC.
Queendom, owned by Mafokate’s daughter Owami, was also allegedly approved for R719 070.
Arthur's ex-girlfriend and artist Chomee has been implicated too, with reports claiming her company Divatainment received a payment of R2 million from NAC for a project that was never realised.
Chomee says the allegations are false, as she posted a picture of the article on her Instagram and wrote “LIES” across it.
SAADA, a company Arthur chairs along with his sisters, was also allegedly approved for R1.9 million.
A Daily Sun source revealed these companies were not just approved funding but also received the funding.
In his statement, Arthur not only denies being affiliated with these companies directly but also denies receiving any money from the NAC fund yet.
“I own two companies, 999 Music and Roadshow Marketing,
“My son and daughter are creatives and business people who do service in South Africa.
“I do not own the Black Technical Production Association and the South African Artist and Development Association, and I can confirm that they are both non-profit organisations that are run by boards of trustees,” his statement reads.
“We have not been paid any money yet. So, most sensationalistic comments about where the money has gone are blatant lies.”
Read the rest of his statement below:
