The funerals of Kwaito icons Winnie Khumalo, held in Soweto, and Victor "Doc Shebeleza" Bogopane, held in Fairlands, were graced by the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie. The two singers and songwriters died two days apart last week.

MINISTER SLAMS RECORD LABEL BOSSES

McKenzie, who has been supporting the industry since he was appointed the Minister last year, seems to have endeared well with the industry players. At Shebeleza's funeral, he admitted that the government has failed the artists, and some have died paupers, yet they have been entertaining the masses for years. A huge fan of Shebeleza's hit song Gets Getsa, McKenzie said he will make sure the music industry is changed for the betterment of artists. McKenzie slammed record company bosses for not taking care of the artists when they died. He said: "Record label bosses, why is it that even at this funeral, I had to help? Where are you? I didn't make money from this gentleman lying here. You're telling me that you, record label bosses, can't even bury a person? Julle is sleg, julle is baie sleg." He added: "Once a person has contributed to your business, you can't even go to the family and say, Mourn your child; we'll take care of it."

ARTISTS EXPLOITED

McKenzie said artists in South Africa are also exploited by other artists who are running unions. "We pay millions of Rand to organisations like CCIFSA (Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa), yet they don't pay you a cent. The SIU is investigating fraud and maladministration relating to public funds of a R12-million payment made to Usiba awards in 2018. MEC of Education in Gauteng Matome Chiloane also attended the funeral of the late Doc Shebeleza to pay his last respects. People's Poet Mzwakhe Mbuli was one of the speakers at the funeral of Shebeleza. McKenzie also attended Khumalo's funeral, where he joined the crowds during the service to dance with fellow artists on stage and other mourners. He said he was celebrating the lives of both Khumalo and Shebeleza.

BOTH BURIED AT HEROES ACRES

Family friend and Khumalo's producer Chicco Twala, Khanyo Maphumulo, media personality Uyanda Mbuli, and DJ Zinhle were among the mourners who graced the funeral of Khumalo. In Fairlands, other celebrities and artists like Shebeleza's manager and personal friend Shakes Mavundla, EFF Member of Parliament, and Trompies member Eugene Mthethwa, were also present. Mthethwa spoke about how Shebeleza and legendary musician Blondie Makhene formed Amaha, an organisation that helped people to build houses for the destitute. "Doc Shebeleza spoke about HIV/Aids when it was not fashionable to speak about that subject. "I don't know how he did it, but he managed to help build houses for people who were destitute," said Mthethwa. For the first time in the history of the music industry, two artists were buried not far from each other on the same day at Heroes Acres at Westpark Cemetery in Joburg. New and legendary artists also got a chance to mingle and take photos together at the funeral services and the cemetery.