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Popular DJ risks getting ‘cancelled’ by Mampintsha association
The musician may suffer the consequences of openly associating himself with an alleged abuser.
Mandla ‘Mampintsha’ Maphumulo has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his partner Bongekile ‘Babes Wodumo’ Simelane. He appeared at Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on assault charges, 5 March 2019. Picture: ANA
In the age of cancel culture, those who are viewed to be on the wrong side of popular discourse are often left to feel the consequences of choosing to be associated with a celebrity or brand that has proven to be problematic.
What is cancel culture?
Cancel culture is a term used to refer to the phenomenon of “cancelling” or no longer morally, financially, and/or digitally supporting people – usually celebrities – or things that many have deemed unacceptable or problematic.
The concept is believed to have originated on social media as this is where most discourse takes place these days.
Is it effective?
Because it is believed to have begun as a hashtag, cancel culture is also viewed as an ineffective means of sanctioning public figures who have been found guilty of wrong-doing.
The act of “cancelling” a celebrity, however, has proven to be somewhat effective in recent months as the public pressure under the #MuteRKelly and #MeToo movements has seen the likes of R. Kelly and Harvey Weinstein lose their jobs, record deals, and a number of other streams of income due to people deciding not to consume anything related to them. That has a ripple effect that dries up the financial well which public figures often draw from in their legal battles and reputation management once proof of their wrongdoing is brought to light.
Closer to home, there was a call for this concept to be applied to musician Mandla Mampintsha Maphumulo who made headlines after a video of him beating his girlfriend surfaced nearly eight months after abuse allegations were first levelled against him.
A frequent collaborator of his, DJ Fisherman, who has recorded a song with Mampintsha a few months prior, took to social media to ask the masses what the next step for his project would be. Namely, he wanted to know whether or not to release his song with or without the feature from Mampintsha.
I just want to find out your view on this. pic.twitter.com/aXlPaShzJN
— Fish (@dj_Fisherman) March 11, 2019
On Twitter, in particular, the nays had it with many calling for Mampintsha to be removed from the project.
The answer is there but you keep insisting . https://t.co/R1fSTPVKqN
— k (@kikisometimes) March 12, 2019
Remove him from the song. 😴😴😴😴 https://t.co/pCydNQ283Z
— Ludo Seame (@LudoSeame) March 12, 2019
Omit the song and move in, easy. https://t.co/y7KgTZgnls
— yobo ♥️ (@naninahd) March 12, 2019
Your bad news brings me joy. It's about damn time people start shutting this abuser down. I pray more artists who continue to feature him on their songs recieve more of these emails. https://t.co/PhA2lgLE14
— Gugu Nolwazi Tshabalala (@Gee_Tshabalala) March 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/_Thandeka__/status/1105184731124113408
Remove the song remix
— Kagiso Legotlo (@kagisolegotlo) March 12, 2019
Despite asking for public input, the DJ seems to be determined to go forward with releasing the feature as is and he went on to explain why he felt so strongly about it.
He may, however, also get cancelled by association.
Silencing Mampintsha means taking away food from all the people that depend on him. These are sad reality we have to deal with. We really need to call upon experts to find us solution because this is an extremely sensitive issue n the repercussions do a ripple effect. https://t.co/2b4WcmuZPo
— Fish (@dj_Fisherman) March 11, 2019
So true and so sad. Like the child must now think of the uncle’s career and reputation😱. We live in a messed up world!
— Chemist and druggist (@SipokaziLilitha) March 12, 2019
He was met with ire from the masses who demanded he remove the song.
https://twitter.com/chiefntshingila/status/1105315749839532032
https://twitter.com/chiefntshingila/status/1105316811438997506
https://twitter.com/chiefntshingila/status/1105316357212696576
https://twitter.com/thabisobonita/status/1105333487660347392
https://twitter.com/justkholii__/status/1105406795617628161
Go speak to #Mampinthsa and explain your concerns , maybe he will see what his actions really mean, we will mute him and many like him ,until you ALL understand the suffering that comes with domestic violence! What have u done to support @BABESWODUMO ??? Or you just want money?
— Jackie Phamotse (@JackiePhamotse) March 12, 2019
You are no different from families that sweep abuse under the rugs because the abuser is the sole breadwinner of the family. They think about their stomachs because anything else. Same WhatsApp group!!!
— Pheladi 👑 (@Thato_Chidi) March 12, 2019
We don’t need experts for this sir. You can remove his vocals from the song, give that space to someone else. I’m sure there’s a lot of young undiscovered talents in Durban you can introduce to the industry. Removing him wont be the end of ur music, keeping him clearly is..
— MissPru DJ (@MissPru_Dj) March 12, 2019
Imagine having to listen to mampintsha coz we avoiding starving the people that depend of him? If he gets convicted bayo depend kubani? 😂 up next kodwa he should not go to jail coz there are people depending on him
— Sanele Filana (@Filana_S) March 12, 2019
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