Last weekend, popular broadcaster and former Ukhozi FM presenter, Linda "Mr Magic" Sibiya claimed that the KwaZulu Natal government has neglected the creative industry. Sibiya went on to say that the artists who spoke out against the department were blacklisted. He was speaking at the KwaZulu Natal Creative Industry Dialogue hosted by the EFF.
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— EFF KZN (@EFFKZN) October 16, 2023
Linda "Mr Magic" Sibiya makes inputs at the EFF KZN creative industry dialogue.
2024 is our 1994 pic.twitter.com/W6pwvVIIjW
Yesterday, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) refuted the allegations calling them baseless. The media personality who is a staunch supporter of former President Jacob Zuma dumped the ANC for the EFF this week. The department claimed that Sibiya has received millions of rands through his company TM Magic, and they said labelled him disingenuous and has a two-faced conduct. In a statement, the department said: "These claims contradict our consistent support and robust investment in nurturing talent, a truth best illustrated by our collaborative efforts with the Cultural and Creative Industries of South Africa (CCIFSA) through the transformative Sukasambe programme and other initiatives. This initiative has not only borne fruit for artists in the past but is an ongoing commitment to the vitality of the creative sector." DSAC was even willing to publicly admit that they have supported his company financially," the statement said.
The department went on to say Sibiya was paid R4 million and failed to deliver an event. "Our records incontrovertibly highlight the substantial support towards Mr Sibiya through his company, TK Magic, which received millions of rands in financial backing from the Department. This fact renders his accusations not merely unfounded but extremely duplicitous. It's a profound irony that Mr Sibiya, a significant beneficiary of our efforts, now orchestrates a slander campaign against the Department. Mr Sibiya's company received R4 million in funding following a proposal intended to benefit the creative sector further," the department said. DSAC says, however, that Sibiya's company defaulted and neglecting its contractual responsibilities. "Despite this, the department has shown substantial leniency, fully cognizant of the complex challenges artists and their companies encounter."
The DSAC is not letting Sibiya get away scot-free. They want him to pay back the money that he had invoiced them after failing to deliver. TK Magic received the funding to organise a Spirit of Praise event in 2017. However, one of the company's directors Thokozani Mngomezulu passed away a day before the event and it was cancelled and later postponed to February 2018. According to the department, Sibiya failed to stage the event since then. "It is worth highlighting the curious timing of these baseless accusations now that the department has initiated decisive steps to recover this significant debt, a direct result of Mr Sibiya's breach of contract. Rather than fulfilling his obligations, Mr Sibiya has opted for a deceitful tactic: a smear campaign aimed at tarnishing the department's reputation," the statement further said. Responding to the department, Sibiya said he will have a media briefing next week to discuss projects that were frustrated by the department but not the current MEC.
