By Staff Reporter
LENYENYE – The organizers of the highly anticipated Touching Life Music Festival have strongly denied allegations circulating on social media that local artists are being paid only R500 to perform at this weekend’s event, scheduled to take place at Lenyenye Stadium.
The controversy erupted after local artist Jonical Deeper publicly announced his withdrawal from the festival, alleging that he was offered a mere R500 for his performance. His post quickly gained traction online, sparking public debate about how local talent is treated at community-based festivals.
However, in a statement issued by the event organizers, the Touching Life Music Festival has dismissed the claims, stating that they never issued or endorsed any such payment offers.
“Since 2022, we have given many local artists a platform without any financial support from institutions. We’ve never undermined any talent, and many respected brands today began with us. The rumors around R500 payments are false and were never communicated from our office,” the statement reads.
The festival also clarified that artists such as Jonical Deeper were selected through a public voting process, and that some artists had even offered to perform for free, which the organizers declined in favor of a formal compensation process.
The organizers added that those involved in spreading the allegations did not verify the information with the festival’s management but instead took to social media for attention.
“We reached out to certain individuals to verify where the claims originated. We reassured them that the matter is being taken seriously. Unfortunately, local artists seeking social media cloud have derailed efforts to resolve the misunderstanding quietly,” the statement added.
As a result of the ongoing backlash, the festival says it has made the “drastic decision” to disengage from artists involved in spreading the allegations to protect its reputation and stakeholders.
Another local performer, Unique SA, also announced his withdrawal, echoing similar sentiments about the alleged R500 booking fee. On social media, he stated:
“Being voted by fans doesn’t mean our brands are weak. I was part of this last year and got R1,500. I can’t accept R500 now. I respect my brand.”
In a strongly worded response, Jonical Deeper also criticized the lack of transparency and alleged favoritism in the booking process, questioning why other artists received higher payments while others were told it was a “favor.”
“I must pay for transport, dancers, and other expenses. How far can R500 go? Others are getting real bookings while we’re being offered a ‘favor,’” he said in a now-viral post.
Despite the controversy, Touching Life Music Festival has reaffirmed its commitment to going ahead with the event, focusing solely on the confirmed lineup of performers and continuing to support local businesses and community initiatives. The organizers emphasized that they have previously contributed to local development, including building a house for a family in Lephephane and supporting various small businesses.
