Durban - Despite having fans across the political spectrum, a number of prominent TV actors and musicians have declared their unwavering support for the ANC, and have openly campaigned for the ruling party in the local government elections.
Delisile Malinga shot to prominence a few years ago when she played the character of Sarah in the popular SABC1 soapie Generations. She is now a member of the Rhythm City cast.
But in real life Malinga might have alienated herself from supporters of opposition parties.
This week she thrilled ANC supporters at Inchanga when she took to the podium to drum up votes. She was proudly wearing a doek (scarf) displaying yellow, black and green colours.
She shrugged off criticism from those who feel she is supporting the party for financial gain and said if it was not for the ANC-led government the SABC would not have had policies that allowed her to be a prominent actress, despite her lack of education.
“Right now I am a prominent TV actor just because of the policies... at the SABC which allowed us to rise, even though we do not speak fluent English like born-frees.
“They allowed us to act using our mother tongue.”
Another actor, Ntokozo Dlamini - known as Mastermind on SABC1’s Uzalo soapie - was unapologetic about his support for the ANC.
“I have fans who are supporters of other political parties. It is a decision of each individual. So I also have freedom to pick whichever political party I feel is suitable to run our country,” he said.
Siyanda Tshabalala, better known as DJ Siyanda, is a member of the ANC’s mobilisation committee.
If opposition parties invited him to their events, he would still campaign for the ANC, he said.
“The ANC liberated us. There is no other party that liberated us besides the ANC.”
Kwaito star Tizozo, whose real name is Thokozani Zulu, said having had a parent killed in political violence had made him a firm ANC supporter.
“My father was killed, so I will always live for the ANC. I would never make an appearance at other parties’ events. I am the ANC for life,” said Zulu.
Facebook followers reacted to celebrities' aligning themselves with the ruling party.
Mandela Diba endorsed the celebrities’ decisions, saying that celebrities' backing political parties and candidates was common in the US.
“But it could be a disadvantage for them at times, especially here in South Africa, with so many political parties. It could close doors,” he said.
Maxwell Nzama said: “Celebrities are just famous citizens. They have the right to affiliate to (a) political party of their choice and be vocal about it... no crime at all...”
“Celebrities want money. They do what they do to get paid. I think it is okay, as long as they feel safe about it and are not causing any harm,” said Anele Khoza.
Durban political analyst Xolani Dube said that, by aligning themselves with the ANC, the artists were failing in their role of being an “honest voice of the society”.
“Now the artists are no longer playing the role of conscientising the society. They are not endorsing the ANC for what the ANC is doing for the society, but they are there for financial gains,” he said
The Mercury