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Vele! Linda Sibiya o buwa nonsonso. And for that, he believes he is worthy of hugs and rapturous applause.

“Shayani izandla ngiyan’khulumela, la.” The former uKhozi FM Presenter demanded at an EFF creative industry dialogue in Durban. As master of ceremony, he was convinced he spoke well on behalf of artists. Shall we not dwell on his promotions of avoidable debt-driven consumerism and other nonsonso? We agree, askiri, ne my chomie? Then, here is a zoom-in on a bit of a taste of the Mr Magic venom.

“We need medical aid for the creative industry.”

Hey! Dumza Wodumo Lwe Great Jazz-ballad, I Presume

Well, Sibiya is not the first to utter such. Comrades and fighters, ningizwe kahle, ne. Hay’ kabi. Ehe! At face value, there is nothing out of order, per se, with this statement. However, closer scrutiny shows a promotion of a thoughtless separatist agenda. In this utterance, artists get singled out for special private medical attention in a sea of human suffering. Hay kabi wena Ndaba, Gumede…, Askies of I am not sorry to those on the same narrow perspective on health and public service matters. The drive for particular medical aid for artists is a self-obsessed act – alienating in nature. As waar, in a private conversation, triggered by statements made by one famous and seasoned actor, a showbiz consumer shares a sentiment that captures what could be a feeling of many.

“One thing that puts me off with artists and celebs… AUTHENTICITY! Values go a long way, and if you can not show me this.., Then I am put off.”

At some point of his sermon Sibiya says:

“We have power as artists.”

AMEN kulo ndawo, wena brother msakazi. But your push for special treatment of artists also encourages the dereliction of duty. Ehe! A service duty to the broader community by a group with the power to influence change that benefits all. What about casual workers at some hell of a plantation factory or corporate, mhh? Sibiya and co are heedless of their selfish use of power projecting conduct bereft of goodwill. A behaviour lacking the spirit of Sisonke nja yam’. Things of inja wah inja woh. Yekeke, it is foolhardy for any artist to be a superficial carrier of an ego that fools them into thinking people (whose support they desire)do not see them for the selfish types they are.

Tell them, yes, batshele wena Robert Nesta Marley: “You can fool some people sometimes. But you can’t fool all the people all the time.”

There is no wisdom in creatives distancing themselves and being unconcerned about the pains of the majority -many of whom are the bedrock support of their talent and consumers of their work. Many South Africans suffer under appalling public health services. The creatives, as mediums -media in their own right – are often nowhere to be found to help vent people’s frustrations. It is self-obsession galore

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Here, a tip of an ice bag, lyrically painted out of the walls of Helen Joseph Hospital.

‘Between half past twelve

And a quarter-to-one

On the first of June, 2023

Patiently

Waiting in hell

On a hospital line

95 minutes each

357 people,

In a normal Que-UE (Queue)’

Shall that sink, an hour and thirty-five minutes waiting for essential health services – probably while in pain and discomfort? Mhhh! Batho Pele. Rhaaa! Nonsos!

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South Africa is among nations endorsing the World Health Organisation’s drive for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The UHC vision is that all people must have access to a full range of quality health services they need at times and places of convenience. According to WHO, word is 4.5 billion people lacked full coverage of essential health services in 2021. Further, WHO observations reveal that…,“Two billion people are facing financial hardships, including a billion experiencing catastrophic out-of-pocket health spending. Due to health costs, 344 million people go deeper into extreme poverty and 1.3 billion into relative poverty.”

Missed Are Artists Allies, in deeds, Of the People

It used to be that artists, at least the sensible and genuine ones.., Yebo! Once upon an era, artists used their voice, fame, power and influence to strike a blow for the masses against injustices committed against them. Should caring enough artists, today, not drive the demand for an improved public health system. Yeah! How about taking it easy on the exclusive and senseless promotion of private medical care in a vast ocean of beings that cannot afford? As waar, except for a few, today most are turncoats. The Star is long gone in Arts. Hence, there is no more shine on the lives of the majority. Self Ego-Eagle flying artists and entertainers elbow each other in a clamour for the exclusive life of the elite. These days CON and ARTS have a thin line in between. It is con artist paradise out there.