"Taxpayer’s Money"- Hulisani On KZN Gov Paying Half Of Mampintsha Funeral

TV host Hulisani Ravele has come under fire following a tweet she sent out expressing her concerns about the KwaZulu-Natal’s government decision to fund 50% of the funeral costs of award-winning gqom star Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo.

The musician memorial took place on 29 December 2022 at Bishop Vusi Dube’s eThekwini Community Church in the Durban CBD on Thursday. His funeral is expected to take place on Friday 30 December 2022 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC).

The 40-year-old singer who was a member of the award-winning group Big Nuz died after being admitted to King Edward Hospital in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend after suffering a mild stroke.

In a tweet, Hulisani was seemingly unhappy with the KwaZulu-Natal government’s decision to lend a helping hand towards the star’s funeral costs. She asked if they will be spending taxpayers’ money.

This comes after TshisaLIVE, that the government will also provide socio-psychological support to family members and relatives following the Mampintsha’s passing.

“In addition to meeting the family halfway with regard to the funeral costs, the province will also provide socio-psychological support to family members and relatives after the passing of the 40-year-old musical superstar,” said spokesperson Lennox Mabaso.

“Um, why is the government paying for a citizen’s funeral? A citizen who was not an official, not killed by any accident, catastrophe, natural event, or anything that would warrant the spending of taxpayer’s money?” Ravele wrote.

Um, why is the government paying for a citizen’s funeral? A citizen who was not an official, not killed by any accident, catastrophe, natural event, or anything that would warrant the spending of taxpayer’s money? @PresidencyZA Please explain and provide supporting legislation.

— Hulisani Ravele (@HulisaniRavele) December 28, 2022

Tweeps slammed Hulisani and went on to school her about the impact Mampintsha made in the KZN province.

@NokwandaK_ wrote “Many artists have received government-funded funerals. Mampintsha was part of a group that contributed immensely to Durban Tourism. Of course, the timing is not ideal since there are more pressing matters that need the finance, but it’s not the first.”

@mthobisi_biggy wrote “Hi, Mapintsha was not a normal citizen. He brought so much happiness to South Africans through his music and talent. There is no need for you to be selfish about Government money you are not paying tax alone. I support the call to assist the family.”

@OscarMNgema wrote “You acting like you are the only one who’s paying Taxes. What makes the government, in this case a provincial government pay for the funeral, it’s it looking at his contribution to the creative arts of KZN and S.A as a whole.”

@ndu_34184 wrote “He was a taxpayer as well?! He has been contributing to Durban tourism and creating employment etc… What’s your view in Teri Pheto’s fraud case?”

You acting like you are the only one who’s paying Taxes. What makes the government, in this case a provincial government pay for the funeral, it’s it looking at his contribution to the creative arts of KZN and S.A as a whole.

Wena uPsyfo wakushiyela lezi, unenhliziyo embi. 💔😔

— Mlu Ngema 🏳️‍🌈😘 (@OscarMNgema) December 29, 2022

Hi, Mapintsha was not a normal citizen. He brought so much happiness to South Africans through his music and talent.
There is no need for you to be selfish about Government money you are not paying tax alone. I support the call to assist the family.

— let’s Talk finance (@mthobisi_biggy) December 29, 2022

Many artists have received government funded funerals. Mampintsha was part of a group that contributed immensely to Durban Tourism. Of course, the timing is not ideal since there are more pressing matters that need the finance, but it’s not the first.

— Nokwanda Mbatha (@NokwandaK_) December 28, 2022

Image Cred: Twitter