Even the most famous ones are not safe when it comes to being taken for a ride. Renowned opera singer and niece to the late Sibongile Khumalo took to social media in tears to express her frustration with the Department of Arts and Culture for not paying her for years. South African singer Sibongile Mngoma says she has been owed money by the department for years and that it looks like they are not willing to pay her.

EXPRESSING HER DISSATISFACTION 

Mngoma, who is known for her soulful voice and powerful performances, shared her story on X and Instagram, leaving fans and followers shocked and saddened. Visibly crying Ngoma's post read, "I am in tears as I write this. The Department of Arts and Culture owes me money for years now. I tried to reach out to them but have received no response. This is unacceptable. As an artist, I deserve to be paid for my work, but it seems like the government does not value the arts." Ngoma was not shy to share that she is now forced to walk kilometres in the scotching heat because of a lack of funds. "I walk in this heat, and we all know how hot Bloemfontein is," she said. She also added that it is sad because as artists, they don't not get monthly salaries. She said whenever she gets a gig, she needs to make sure that the money lasts her about three to four months. "It is more sad that when someone sitting in the office just decides that I can't get my money I worked for," She added that she could not take her child on a holiday in December. "I had promised my child that I would take her to the coastal city for festive, but I couldn't do that," She also mentioned that she was told by the department that her money was redirected to some awards. She said she has not been able to pay her rent and schools have opened. " I can't even buy myself a car," she said.

SURVIVING HEART DISEASE

Mngoma also dropped a bombshell that last year she nearly died of heart disease caused by stress. She said she will no longer keep quiet because government does not care about artists. "I can no longer keep quiet because I am afraid I will getting cancelled. I have sung at the State Of The Nation Address and never got paid, I have performed for their many events," Mngoma said she is not ashamed of what people are going to say because when she is dead, the truth will come out. I don't care if people will think am exposing myself - when I am dead, they will know," she added.

SPARKING A DEBATE 

Mngoma's post sparked outrage on social media, with many people expressing their support for the singer and calling for action to be taken to address the issue. Many people are hoping that this will be a wake-up call for the government to prioritise the arts and support artists in the country. When contacted by ZiMoja, Minister of Arts, Sports and Culture Zizi Kodwa refuted Mngoma's claims saying, "We don't owe her anything,".