Mayengani takes a swipe at SABC manager for banning his single

BENNY Mayengani, popular Tsonga artist, recently critisised Munghana Lonene FM manager, James Shikwambana, for banning his new single from being played on air.

He said the radio station told him that they had to withdraw his single, Vayuda, from their playlist, because the song portrayed Mayengani as Jesus Christ.

Mayengani said he did not believe this was the reason for the ban, because he was a member of the EFF and believed that Shikwambana banned his single as part of a personal attack on him because of his EFF membership.

He said Shikwambana received his instructions from the ANC and that was why he would not promote Vayuda on air.

Mayengani sang a song at a mini EFF rally last Monday in which he attacked the ANC. “When it is time to vote, they say ‘together we can do more’, but when the elections are over they say ‘vukusensele, wake up and do it yourself’,” he sang as his fans laughed and cheered. The term “Vukuzenzele” refers to a government programme that aims to encourage people to create jobs instead of relying on government.

SABC spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, said the SABC did ban the single, because they could not play music on air that offended people’s religions. “We asked him to bring us his full album, but he never did,” he explained.

“The SABC is not influenced by any political party. We deal with Mayengani as an artist, not a politician.”

Shikwambana said he could not comment on Mayengani’s allegations at this stage.