By Tamlyn Canham
Simphiwe Dana is less than impressed with a recent ANC gathering in Tembisa. President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed a large crowd of supporters at a campaign rally in the area a few days ago.
Ekurhuleni mayor, Mzwandile Masina, shared a picture of the president with the crowd.
“President @cyrilramaphosa
Instagram users were shocked that a big gathering was allowed despite the country’s current COVID-19 restrictions.
“Any reason why we are not allowed to go to football matches if the president and the ruling party are breaking the same rules and regulations set for us as citizens?” one man asked.
All outdoor gatherings are currently limited to 500 people.
President #Ramaphosa: All gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 250 people indoors and 500 people outdoors.
Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue may be used. pic.twitter.com/DAvPTSIeSE— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) September 12, 2021
Hypocritical behaviour
“Please open the country so artists can work. This is hypocritical behavior,” Dana wrote on Thursday.
https://twitter.com/simphiwedana/status/1443066352089112576
One Twitter user brushed off Simphiwe’s tweet, saying other artists are back in the groove of things.
“So we must not obey the law that limits crowds to 500 people outdoors. Ok,” she hit back.
https://twitter.com/simphiwedana/status/1443073501313781766
https://twitter.com/simphiwedana/status/1443077701875773442
ALSO READ: Simphiwe Dana asks for prayers after losing her mom
Entertainment industry struggling
It’s not the first time Simphiwe has called out government officials during the pandemic. She says artists are struggling during the pandemic with little support.
She labelled Ramaphosa the worst president South Africa has ever had.
“I’m also quite unimpressed with how our president has ignored the arts during this pandemic. But he will be ‘shocked’ when things completely fall apart in this sector,” she tweeted in April.
https://twitter.com/simphiwedana/status/1379320122859520001
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Main image credit: Instagram/@SimphiweDana



