Abuse in recording industry ‘happening for years’, says Nkosi-Malobane

The meeting in Johannesburg was a prelude to a bigger meeting with artists of all genders.

“The meeting is to prepare for a broader engagement with female artists and of course in that meeting it won’t only be just female artists attending, but artists in general but the issue with us will be dealing with gender-based violence,” said Nkosi-Malobane.

The meeting came on the back of the assault charge laid by artist Bongekile ‘Babes Wodumo’ Simelane against her boyfriend, Mandla 'Mampintsha' Maphumulo.

The couple hit the headlines after Maphumulo was seen slapping Simelane on an Instagram video.

Nkosi-Malobane said the video is one of the reasons that the department is addressing is issue of abuse.   

“I am sure you know that recently we have seen how one of the ladies who is successful in her own right in terms of selling her arts was abused, Bongekile Simelane who is popularly known as Babes Wodumo.

“She was abused by Mampintsha, who happened to think that because he introduced her to the industry, he thinks that he owns her. It's not only Babes who has experienced abuse in the hands of producers and directors or those who think own the industry.

“It's quite a number of women and it's actually been happening for years. We have then decided as the Department of Community Safety that we need to confront these issue and challenge head on,” she adds.

Some of the artists present in Tuesday’s meeting were 80s pop artist Mercy Pakela, artist and backup singer Khanyo Maphumulo and Johnny Clegg’s former back up singer, Mandisa Dlanga.   

Pakela, who is popularly known for her song ‘ayashisa amateki’ said there are various reasons why women stay in abusive relationships, especially in the entertainment industry.