Thandi Moraka accused of tribalism for ‘kicking’ Thomas Chauke off stage [video]

Limpopo’s Arts and Culure MEC, Thandi Moraka, has been accused of tribalism after Dr Thomas Chauke was allegedly forced off stage at the Mapungubwe Arts Festival.

The music event concluded its four-day festivities on Sunday, with powerhouse acts like multi award-winning Thomas Chauke, Makhadzi and Master KG expected to set the stage ablaze.

Fans boycott Thandi Moraka for tribalism

The anticipation for Thomas Chauke was cut short after an on-stage mix up ended the veteran musician’s performance on his second song.

According to Advocate Ollies Maluleke, who claims to be the owner of the video that has gone viral on social media, the impromptu end to Thomas Chauke’s performance was instructed by a highly irritated Thandi Moraka.

In a Facebook post, Maluleke accused the Arts and Culture MEC of tribalism, claiming that she “said that Tsongas (“Makwapa”) make noise and she does not even hear what Dr. Chauke sings about.”

Fans were left frustrated with how Chauke’s performance was allegedly cut short and called for either a boycott of the festival or Moraka’s position.

Xenophobic people are tribalists, we love you Dr Thomas Chauke we all know ANC is led by self hating people who have no shame, the insult to Tsonga people by ANC MEC Thandi Moraka must be condemned by all of us. pic.twitter.com/w1y1Bt3d3R

— EFFJoziGroundForces (@Effgroundforces) December 17, 2019

MEC denied cutting Thomas Chauke performnce short

Responding to the backlash, Moraka vehemently denied the allegations. Labelling the accusations as baseless, the MEC stressed that she was the one who “insisted on Chauke to be included on the line up.”

“These allegations are baseless. I don’t deal with artists, I was not even close to that process of managing the flow and movement of artists. I came onto the stage because they said, MEC, it is time for you to come and introduce the surprise artists. This is something that is so unfortunate and we need to apologise to Chauke and his supporters,” she said.

The Arts and Culture department explained that this was all just an unfortunate mix up that got blown out of proportion on social media.

“There was a crossover item which was planned prior and that’s what led to this unfortunate incident involving Chauke. The MEC personally met with Chauke off stage after his performance on the night and apologised with the manner n which he was treated on stage by the stage managers,” the department noted.