The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture is under intense public scrutiny after it was revealed that Arthur Mafokate’s company, Roadshow Marketing, received R1.8 million in government funding during the 2025/2026 Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) cycle. This comes despite Mafokate’s ongoing legal battles tied to alleged misuse of public funds, according to Sunday World reports.
Mafokate, a celebrated kwaito artist and record label owner, has been under investigation since 2022 when the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) froze assets linked to him amid probes into National Lotteries Commission (NLC) fund mismanagement. Allegations suggest he and others may have improperly benefited from nonprofit grants aimed at uplifting disadvantaged communities.
The fresh disclosure that his company secured a substantial arts development grant has ignited backlash from civil society groups and industry insiders. Many condemned the decision as unfair to law-abiding artists struggling to access scarce resources.
While the department claims the funding was awarded through a standard application process, critics argue due diligence was insufficient and are demanding an urgent review of grant allocations.
Mafokate has yet to comment publicly on the latest funding award but has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that his nonprofit activities complied with legal requirements.
