Row over Thandiswa's Mapungubwe limelight

Limpopo artists refuse to be put on the back burner

- By Ngwako Malatji

Thandiswa Mazwai has been selected to be the star of attraction for the Mapungubwe Festival./ Gallo Images

(Gallo Images)

Afropop chanteuse Thandiswa Mazwai’s selection by the organisers of the controversy-prone Mapungubwe Festival as the headliner of the annual event has heightened tensions between the Limpopo Artists Movement (LAM) and the Limpopo Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

In a media statement, outspoken LAM chairperson Mphoza Mashabela said Mazwai’s selection was an insult and affront to the music legends of the province, who have not only placed their names on the pantheon with their music but also placed the province, which is a cauldron of different cultures, on the international map.

Mashabela has implored the department to reverse its incendiary decision and select one of the province's revered musicians to be the star attraction of the annual carnival billed for Saturday, December 13. He said LAM would boycott the festival if the department did not accede to their request.

Known for his candour, Mashabela said the faux pas would have been avoided had the department not barred them from the festival’s media launch and its planning session.