American singer Beyonce will not perform at the department of sport and recreation’s sports awards, the Star reported on Tuesday.

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said the idea of bringing the performer to South Africa had been dropped as it would take the focus away from athletes deserving recognition, according to the newspaper.

“This is why we dropped the Beyonce idea. It became politicised, funny songs were being sung about it in [the ANC], there were distortions about pricing, wild rumours,” Mbalula said.

“In the end it made me think about what we were trying to achieve here.”

Beyonce’s fee, reported to be R17 million an hour, would have been paid before the awards by corporate sponsors.

“The matter was blown out of proportion, so I made up my mind to cut it off right then. It wasn’t something worth pursuing,” the minister told the Star.

The awards are expected to be held in November.

By Sapa
Images via Facebook/Beyonce