Should government pay for the funerals of artists?
Tweeps are questioning why the KwaZulu-Natal government is helping to pay for the funeral of the late Mandla 'Mampintsha' Maphumulo, who died on December 24 after suffering a stroke.
South Africans have been left divided after the KwaZulu-Natal province announced that it will be helping to cover the funeral costs of the late Gqom star, Mandla 'Mampintsha' Maphumulo.
On Wednesday, the premier's office said it will be covering half of the cost of the funeral.
“In addition to meeting the family halfway with regard to the funeral costs, the province will also provide socio-psychological support to family members and relatives after the passing of the 40-year-old musical superstar,” said spokesperson Lennox Mabaso.
Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube praised Mampintsha for putting the province on the map.
“As a province, within our policy, we have decided that a megastar of this magnitude deserves our support as he exits the stage and departs for the last time to the world beyond.
“Working under the Afrotainment label Big Nuz revolutionised kwaito and township dance music, making KwaZulu-Natal the mecca of entertainment, whereas it used to be Gauteng. During his life, this genre opened doors for hundreds of young artists who make a living from this KZN-born dance music.
“On behalf of the provincial government we express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and followers of Mampintsha. We will play our part to facilitate a decent send-off for this pioneering artist as he drops the mic for the last time,” said Dube-Ncube.
His funeral will be at the Durban ICC on Friday.
READ: Mandla 'Mampintsha' Maphumulo funeral on Friday
The announcement was met with mixed emotions.
Media personality Hulisani Ravele was amongst the first to question the decision by the government.
"Um, why is the government paying for a citizen’s funeral? A citizen who was not an official, not killed by any accident, catastrophe, natural event, or anything that would warrant the spending of taxpayer’s money? @PresidencyZA Please explain and provide supporting legislation," she wrote on Twitter.
She went on to suggest that the government should come up with other ways to honour the deceased who have played a role in uplifting society.
"They could’ve started a scholarship in his honour, set up a music centre in the township he was born in. There are many appropriate ways to honour a talent. Meeting people who have money (or whose people could afford his funeral costs i.e. record label) halfway is not it," she wrote.
READ: Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha in therapy to try fix their marriage
Um, why is the government paying for a citizen’s funeral? A citizen who was not an official, not killed by any accident, catastrophe, natural event, or anything that would warrant the spending of taxpayer’s money? @PresidencyZA Please explain and provide supporting legislation.
— Hulisani Ravele (@HulisaniRavele) December 28, 2022
They could’ve started a scholarship in his honour, set up a music centre in the township he was born in. There are many appropriate ways to honour a talent. Meeting people who have money (or whose people could afford his funeral costs i.e. record label) halfway is not it. https://t.co/qPzrrrBLDy
— Hulisani Ravele (@HulisaniRavele) December 28, 2022
I can’t believe that there are people who don’t see anything wrong with the KZN government paying for Mampintsha’s funeral
— Pumzile🇿🇦 (@PumPum_Radebe) December 28, 2022
So the government will be paying for Mampintsha's funeral ... can someone please help me understand why ?
— Njabs_Madlala (@Njabs_Madlala) December 29, 2022
Well apart from the music, there are the royalties from their reality show on Showmax to assist. The funds could have gone to assist with the many problems in this country.
Did Mampintsha's family plead poverty. Paying half the cost is based on what amount. What if the family spends R2 million. Is the KZN government going to pay R1 million. What about other artists if they pass on. Is this a policy or just a populist stance.
— Tsitso09 (@tsitso09) December 28, 2022
More From East Coast Radio
Image courtesy of Instagram.