Singer Unathi Nkayi, pastor John Maralack, Lungi Mtetwa, Reverend Farren Cloete, Zonwabeke Tshayana, and Carl Hendricks are among the fifteen delegates who were invited to attend the Havana International Book Fair in Cuba. The Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture supported the trip. However, concerns have been raised over taxpayers' money used on the trip amounting to almost R2 million, and Minister Gayton McKenzie not addressing the allocation of the funds until now. 

SPARKED

The matter was first raised by controversial poet Ntsiki Mazwai, who accused the department of chosing someone who isn't even a writer or poet to represent the country. "Cuba specifically asked for us. Unathi is not a writer," Ntsiki questioned. She claimed, she was initially invited to the event but was removed. She was quickly gagged by Minister McKenzie, who threatened to take legal action if she failed to come up with facts. "I understand that such statements can be misinterpreted or damaging, and for that, I apologise," she said in an apology statement. However, author Patric Tariq Mellett then brought the matter up, sighting that there are many deserving authors who have raised the South African flag but were not granted the opportunity.

TAXES

Sinawo Tambo from the Economic Freedom Fighters has revealed that the department used the money on travel, visas, accommodation, and a participation fee for the delegates and three other arts and culture officials who attended and whose bill was not included with that of Deputy Minister Peace Mabe. The department said they selected fifteen authors from a comprehensive list of 35. The minister shared on social media that he was unhappy with the list he received due to a racial imbalance. "I was clear that it should have coloured and white people also. I will never be ashamed of my instruction,' he wrote. "My crime was wanting inclusion. These leaks are straight from my people in the department that I removed from this trip," he said.