Steve Hofmeyr calls criticism amid show boycotts 'fake news'
As corporate sponsors continue to distance themselves from the Afrikaans Is Groot music event over its decision to include Steve Hofmeyr in the lineup, the musician has told followers on social media he has been barred from speaking.
Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi was one of the most prominent voices in calls for sponsors like Coca-Cola, DStv, Toyota and MTN to boycott Steve's shows after a tweet from the musician in 2014 resurfaced on social media late last week. In the tweet, Steve claimed black people were the "architects of apartheid".
MTN announced they had withdrawn their sponsorship from the event and said it was not in line with their objective of trying to "connect South Africans and bring people together".
Afriforum on Wednesday challenged MTN over the decision and questioned the organisation's standing on the "personal views of artists performing at the music festival".
Coca-Cola told TshisaLIVE it was approached to partner with Afrikaans Is Groot but declined. It distanced itself from the event and said it had enquired as to why it was advertised as a sponsor. Its logo has since been removed.
In a statement, Toyota said it would not withdraw its sponsorship, but said the creative process of the events it sponsors is not part of the contractual agreement.
Steve was hit with more bad news when Emerald Resort and Casino announced that after taking "advice and discussions with concerned parties" it cancelled the Afrikaans in die Vaal concert featuring the star.
Emerald Resort & Casino has made the decision, based on advice and discussions with concerned parties, to cancel the Afrikaans in die Vaal concert.
— Emerald Resort (@emerald_resort) March 17, 2019
Apologies for any inconvenience. Full refunds will be given. Computicket, will in due course, distribute an SMS.
While Steve and his management team have not responded to several attempts for comment from TshisaLIVE, the musician took to Twitter to hint at being silenced and so he would not speak his mind.
Hallo almal. Wou gou groet. Die lys van dinge wat ek NIE mag sê nie is nou al so lank ek kan omtrent net hallo sê!
— Steve Hofmeyr (@steve_hofmeyr) March 18, 2019
Sal nie gebeur nie
— Steve Hofmeyr (@steve_hofmeyr) March 19, 2019
He continued discussing the tweet that had resurfaced and then called claims that he was spewing hatred "fake news".
"Geregverdig" is subjektief. Ek stel net belang in wat "wettig" is.
— Steve Hofmeyr (@steve_hofmeyr) March 19, 2019
Six mistakes in one tweet. #fakenews
— Steve Hofmeyr (@steve_hofmeyr) March 19, 2019
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