Timeline: Steve Hofmeyr vs Afrikaans is Groot sponsors
Controversial musician Steve Hofmeyr was once again in the spotlight this week after the announcement that two more major sponsors had pulled their support for a concert he is set to perform at later this year.
Steve has been booked to perform at the Afrikaans is Groot (AIG) taking place in Pretoria at the end of the year.
Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has been one of the most prominent voices in calls for sponsors like DStv, Toyota and MTN to boycott the show after a tweet from Steve in 2014 resurfaced on social media. In the tweet, Steve claimed black people were the "architects of apartheid".
Here is a look at the series of events that have unfolded in the saga so far:
2014 tweet
A tweet posted by Steve in 2014 was widely circulated on social media several weeks ago. In the tweet, the musician said black people were the architects of apartheid.
The resurfaced tweet gained much traction and caught the attention of many including Panyaza Lesufi.
The MEC became one of the many people who tried to pressure the show's sponsors to withdraw their funding.
South Africa Tweet power: How a few well-aimed barbs persuaded brands to ditch Afrikaans Is Groot event 5 years ago |
MTN - March 14
Following much public outcry, MTN announced on March 14 it had cut ties with the AIG event.
The company said in a statement: "Through its brand and network, MTN seeks to connect South Africans and bring people together, however, AIG's continued association with Steve Hofmeyr is no longer helping MTN achieve that objective."
Coca-Cola - March 15
As Lesufi continued to pressure brands associated with the AIG event. Coca-Cola spoke out on the matter.
The company told TshisaLIVE it was approached to partner with AIG 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.
Emerald Resort - March 17
In response to the boycotts by sponsors of the AIG concert, Emerald Resort & Casino said it had decided to cancel the Afrikaans in die Vaal concert, which featured Steve.
Emerald Resort & Casino said it based its decision on advice and discussions with "concerned parties".
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.
Steve speaks out - March 18
The musician took to Twitter to address his followers on the matter. Steve hinted in his tweets that he is being silenced on the matter and that he could not speak about it.
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
Steve continued to speak on the circulated tweet, saying that claims that he was spreading hatred are "fake news".
Toyota and Media24 drop AIG - March 26
The car manufacturer Toyota's SA branch announced on Tuesday that it is pulling out of the AIG event. The company said it has ended its four-year partnership with AIG.
Media24 also announced that its platforms Beeld, Netwerk24, Huisgenoot and VIA would no longer be involved in the event.
AIG organisers on Tuesday said that they would continue to keep Steve on their lineup and have announced a campaign to source funding from the public.