Singer and radio presenter, Unathi Nkayi had the honour of performing for Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel at the prestigious Havana Book Fair in Cuba recently. She became one of the 15 South African authors who spend two weeks in Cuba. An unapologetic and vexed Ntsiki Mazwai called Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie and the government corrupt for including Unathi on the list when she is not a best-selling author.

TENSION

Ntsiki has questioned how McKenzie selected Unathi to attend the book fair.. "They chose someone who isn't even a writer or poet. Cuba specifically asked for us. Unathi is not a writer,' Ntsiki questioned. She accused the government of giving certain individuals preferential treatment. "She flew business class while others were in economy, why? Why was one booked in a five-star hotel while other writers were booked in three-star hotels?' Ntsiki vented.

IT'S PERSONAL

Unathi said tension between her and Ntsiki dates way back to 2002 when she accused her of theft. "In 2002, two days after I hosted the SAMAs, she found my number and called me. I had never met her, had never spoken to her, and did not know of her until then. She accused me of stealing her designs whilst I hosted the awards," Unathi said. She added: "As history has recorded, I was dressed by the amazing Mr and Mrs Mangaliso of Sungoddess and I have never been a designer. My being has annoyed her for 23 years, as in uyancitheka arhawzelelwe ngums**tsi** okwengathi uneworms (Her anger tears her a** up), up to a point that she now says I am not the best-selling author that I am." She sarcastically sent her love. "I love you, Ntsiki. I'm going to reprint and do it again."

LEGAL ACTION

McKenzie has remained has threatened to take legal action against the poet saying the allegations should not be taken lightly. "Ntsiki, you have made very serious allegations against me, very slanderous. I will take you to court, you will have a perfect opportunity to show the court of law your evidence," he said "You have gone very far this time." He asked her to share her invite from the Cubans to the book fair. Ntaiki continued to accuse him of bullying her into silence.