What was meant to be a heartfelt tribute to the late actress Nandi Nyembe quickly turned into a tense moment at Johannesburg Market Theatre. Lerato Mvelase, a fellow actress, took the stage to openly challenge Minister of Sport, Art and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, over the government’s support—or lack thereof—for struggling artists.
Nyembe, who passed away over the weekend, was honoured with touching tributes from friends, colleagues, and fans.
Her funeral, set for this weekend at a venue yet to be revealed, will be funded by the Department of Sport, Art and Culture.
Lerato Mvelase Calls Out the Minister
During the memorial, an official read a speech on behalf of Gayton McKenzie, who was absent.
Shortly after, Lerato Mvelase addressed the audience with a powerful message.
“Please do tell the minister that going forward, artists will no longer allow the department to come celebrate with us,” Mvelase said.
“With all due respect, we are not fighting the department.
It is a fight with the system that has been putting actors down our whole lives.”
She urged McKenzie to focus on concrete actions rather than promises.
“I would have loved to hear a speech that speaks not on promises made by the minister but works on adjusting or changing the policies in place.
How long must we hear the same speech? How long must we have the same engagements about the need for policy structures that are going to protect us as actors?”
Mvelase didn’t hold back, adding, “It is a lullaby, what you said right now.
And I can assure you, wherever Mam’ Nandi is, her heart was not happy. I am not happy. We are not happy.”
Minister McKenzie Responds with Evidence
Hours after the memorial, Gayton McKenzie took to Facebook to defend himself.
He stated that he had sent Nandi Nyembe R20,000 to cover food and medication during her struggle.
Following her death, he personally flew from Cape Town to comfort her family.
McKenzie also mentioned that he provided R10,000 for cake and tea, and that his team assisted the family with funeral arrangements.
He clarified that the Department of Sport, Art and Culture would cover Nandi Nyembe’s funeral costs.
Without directly naming Lerato Mvelase, McKenzie addressed critics on social media: “I now see some artists that were nowhere to be seen when [Nyembe] needed help are now everywhere where there are cameras lambasting me and telling lies.
You can try to paint me as uncaring. But I am not the type of person who can walk away from a dire situation, doing nothing, whilst I have a few coins to assist. I can’t let these lies continue.”
Public Debate Continues
The clash between Lerato Mvelase and Gayton McKenzie has reignited a larger conversation about the support systems available for struggling artists in South Africa.
Some believe McKenzie acted promptly, while others echo Mvelase’s call for deeper, systemic change.
Fans and followers have been invited to share their thoughts on whether the minister delivered on his promise to support the late Nandi Nyembe.
