By Tamlyn Canham
Pearl Thusi received major flak after pleading with Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa to support local artists.
“Artists are struggling… can you assist with actual support/ money like how you tweet us congrats and condolences,” Pearl wrote on Twitter.
Several Twitter users said artists needed to adjust their lifestyles instead of begging for money. One person went as far as saying they would just use the money to buy Gucci.
Refilwe Madumo clapped back at the negative comments.
“How much do people think artists in SA earn? Pearl is asking the minister for assistance for starving artists&people are saying they don’t need help because they’ll buy Gucci. Insane… there are artists who don’t have bread/milk, no data to access their emails for possible work,” she tweeted.
The actress says many people are suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Artists are suffering, hungry. Covid has killed the industry and people think we want Gucci?”
Artists are suffering, hungry. Covid has killed the industry and people think we want Gucci?
— therefilwe (@RefilweMadumo) July 20, 2021
READ: Public Protector to intervene in dispute between artists and government
Social media users weigh in
There were mixed reactions to Refilwe’s comments on Twitter. One tweep said society thinks artists have money because of their flashy lifestyles.
“The way artists portray themselves is how the society will portray them. We see them buying flashy cars and staying in golf estates. And we see them being implicated in drugs scandals (well some of them). Those are the things that make society think they have money.”
The way artists portray themselves is how the society will portray them. We see them buying flashy cars and staying in golf estates. And we see them being implicated in drugs scandals (well some of them). Those are the things that make society to think they have money
— Tokoloho (@Lehalima) July 20, 2021
Another Twitter user pointed out that celebrities “who wear Gucci probably didn’t buy it”, as it was given to them for promotion.
“Most artists do not have direct employers, so no UIF etc. Freelance people aren’t protected the way people employed by entities are.”
Most artists do not have direct employers, so no UIF etc. Freelance people aren’t protected the way people employed by entities are.
— Annalinde Singh 😷 (@aLfriendo) July 21, 2021
Actor Jack Devnarain believes the industry needs “structural transformation so artists don’t need charity”.
I know what she’s asking for, and perhaps her approach to #NathiMthethwa may work, who knows?!
My point is always that charity for artists is not sustainable. We need structural transformation so artists don’t need charity, but can earn a sustainable income from their own efforts— Jack Devnarain (@JackD157) July 21, 2021
READ: SABC denies claims that it is withholding royalties worth R250m
Main image credit: Instagram/@therefilwe
