South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, is giving away tickets to fans who cannot afford to attend the highly anticipated concerts of Makhadzi and Chris Brown. McKenzie made the announcement on X, offering the tickets as a way to ensure that more people can experience these major events, despite the high cost of entry. Chris Brown, who arrived in South Africa this week, is set to perform two shows at FNB Stadium in Soweto this weekend, following a sell-out of his initial concert on December 14. Due to the overwhelming demand, a second concert date was added at the same venue. Meanwhile, Makhadzi, the Limpopo-born star, will perform at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on December 21, as part of her ongoing tour.
McKenzie’s gesture follows his previous act of purchasing over 200 tickets for Makhadzi’s concert in October. This was seen as a response to earlier tensions when McKenzie and Makhadzi publicly clashed over claims that the government had not supported the singer after her win at the BET Awards. The giveaway has sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some fans have expressed their gratitude, others have reacted negatively. One user, @AndriesAR, even jokingly stated that he would be giving away free airtime to feminists who want to stop Chris Brown’s concert, referencing the controversies surrounding the singer’s past.
Despite the divided opinions, McKenzie’s initiative highlights his ongoing efforts to make arts and culture events more accessible to South Africans, particularly those who may struggle financially to attend such high-profile concerts.
Court jails feared Musina man who cut little girl’s body, burnt and dumped her body
Hlengani, from Musina, was also sentenced for two counts of housebreaking with intent to rape, attempted theft out of motor vehicle and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Limpopo spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the court ordered that some of the sentences run concurrently with the sentence imposed on the murder charge, leaving Hlengani with an effective life sentence. “The accused pleaded not guilty during the trial and the State led witnesses. They testified that between 2013 and 2018, the accused would terrorize the community of Musina-Matswale, by breaking into the homesteads of the victims and raping them. He was armed with a knife and a firearm,” said Malabi-Dzhangi.
“His targets were Zimbabwean nationals who were renting rooms in the village.” Malabi-Dzhangi said in one incident, Hlengani took a young girl by force and further demanded to engage in sexual activities with her. “When she refused, he throttled her, cut her throat and set her body alight at the dumping site next to Famba Zion Church. The family of the deceased had to wait for several months for DNA results before giving her a decent burial,” she said. Hlengani was linked to his heinous crimes through DNA results. In aggravation of sentence, for the State, advocate Nnyambeni Nekhambele submitted that the Hlengani was not remorseful, and he was the most feared person in the community.
Nekambele urged the court to removed Hlengani permanently from society. The State further submitted that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying departure from the prescribed minimum sentence. Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority in Limpopo has welcomed the sentence imposed on Hlengani. Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, advocate Ivy Thenga emphasized that the NPA stands firm against violence towards women and children. She added that she 0hopes that the lengthy sentence would serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders. Thenga also commended the good work done by the prosecutor, Nekhambele and other stakeholders involved.
