Johannesburg, South Africa — The families of late Kwaito pioneers Victor “Doc Shebeleza” Bogopane and Winnie Khumalo are still waiting for promised support from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) — months after both artists passed away in January 2025.
Despite public promises and existing initiatives like the Silapha Wellness Intervention Programme, designed to support South African creatives’ mental and physical well-being, no financial assistance has yet reached their families, according to a Sunday World report.
The delay has drawn widespread criticism from within the music industry, with artists and fans alike accusing the department of neglecting the very figures who built the cultural foundation of South African music.
Speaking at Doc Shebeleza’s funeral, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie condemned record labels for failing to support artists in their final days. However, critics argue the DSAC itself must take accountability, particularly when families are left to carry both emotional and financial burdens.
Music veterans Mzwakhe Mbuli and Chicco Twala have also weighed in, noting that both Doc Shebeleza and Winnie Khumalo struggled to access medical care in their final months due to financial hardship.
“It’s heartbreaking to see legends treated like this,” said Twala. “These are the people who gave us identity through music — and when they needed us, the silence was deafening.”
The lack of visible action from DSAC has reignited long-standing debates around how the government supports — or fails to support — artists, especially those no longer in the commercial spotlight but rich in cultural legacy.
