Then and Now: Makhadzi had a full circle moment as she took her BET award to the streets she used to hustle on. Picture: makhadzisa/Instagram
It was a full circle moment for BET award winning artist, Makhadzi, on Friday as she went back to the streets of Ṱhohoyanḓou to celebrate her victory with the people in Limpopo.
Makhadzi began her career selling her music on the very same streets.
The musician, whose real name is Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, reflected on her early days of promoting her music at taxi ranks and public areas to now being one of the country’s most recognisable artists.
She did this after receiving the nomination for the Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act.
ALSO READ: Road closures as Limpopo premier hosts Makhadzi’s BET Award celebration
On Thursday, Limpopo premier, Phophi Ramathuba, hosted a homecoming celebration for Makhadzi in honour of her recent win at Meropa Casino Conference Centre in Polokwane.
“The Limpopo provincial government we wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Makhadzi on this well-deserved win,” averred Ramathuba in her address.
The former Limpopo MEC for Health defended the province’s support for the Limpopo creative industry.
“We are fully aware our support has been called to question in some quarters but we are not discouraged by that,” she said.
“As you know us as Limpopo provincial government we recognise the importance of the creative arts industry as a tool of job creation and economic development, through various initiatives and support programmes, the government is working to create a thriving and sustainable arts sector in the province,” Ramathuba added.
This past week, Makhadzi refuted claims by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) that the department had shown her support over the past 14 months.
The musician’s team explained that the money she received from the department was payment for rendering a service.
“She [Makhadzi] would categorically like to state clearly that she has never received or applied for any funding from the DSAC in the past 14 months,” a statement from Makhadzi Entertainment Communications read.
READ MORE: ‘That is not funding but a payment’ – Makhadzi responds to arts and culture department
On Tuesday evening, the DSAC issued a statement refuting claims that the government have not supported Makhadzi after the music artist revealed she had to pay for her trip to the United States (US) to attend the BET Awards, where she won the Best New International Act award.
But the following morning, newly appointed Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie, clarified this assertion.
“Makhadzi is not a recipient of grant funding, she delivered a service. The IT team is fixing the first link because there are still two others to follow.
“I will speak to Makhadzi shortly and revert after understanding what happened regarding that statement,” McKenzie said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Speaking to guests at Makhadzi’s homecoming celebrations, Ramathuba spoke with bravado about Limpopo’s support for Makhadzi.
“When Makhadzi goes all over to perform, Makhadzi doesn’t go to perform alone. When we pay Makhadzi, she doesn’t put a plate of food on the Ralivhona family alone, she’s always surrounded by [sic] her dancers.”
“She’s not only with her dancers, she equally has got her producers, she also has her managers, even though some of the managers take advantage of our artists. We’re going to make sure that as government we protect our artists.”
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