Polokwane – Popular Limpopo hip-hop artist Shebeshxt, born Lehlogonolo Chauke, has publicly accused Polokwane mayor John Mpe of failing to deliver on promises made following the tragic death of his daughter, Onthatile, earlier this year.
In a series of emotionally charged Facebook posts on Tuesday, Shebeshxt detailed his financial struggles and alleged exploitation in the wake of his one-man show, "The Return of Shebeshxt," organised by Mpe’s Makoro Foundation.
The musician claimed that despite Mayor Mpe’s commitment to establish the Onthatile Foundation approximately two months ago, he is yet to receive any official documentation.
“I was R2-million in debt. But my debts are now over R1 million after making R500 000 from The Return of Shebeshxt and from donations to my daughter’s foundation, for which I still don’t have documentation,” he stated on his Facebook page.
Shebeshxt, also known as President Ya Ma2000, recounted the difficult circumstances leading up to and following the show. He explained that he was advised against taking bookings prior to the event, a decision he now deeply regrets.
“My biggest regret after being discharged from the hospital was taking people’s advice not to take gigs because doing so would sabotage the The Return of Shebeshxt show. Worse, at the time, I owed promoters who had booked me before the accident a lot of money,” he said.
The artist's financial woes are further compounded by his outstanding debts to promoters for gigs missed after a serious car accident earlier this year. This accident, which occurred while he was driving to a performance in Lebowakgomo, tragically claimed the life of his daughter, Onthatile, while his girlfriend, Kholofelo Chuene, sustained minor head injuries.
Shebeshxt himself was rushed to Polokwane Provincial Hospital before being transferred to Netcare Pholoso Hospital following intervention from EFF leader Julius Malema, who covered his substantial medical bills.
“They used my daughter’s name to focus on The Return of Shebeshxt, which only gave me R500 000; now I’m left with debts,” he lamented.
He clarified that his public statements are not a plea for sympathy but rather an expression of his pain and anger at the situation.
“I’m saying this not because I want you to sympathise with me; I’m just expressing how I feel because my heart is bleeding, especially because my daughter’s name has been used for wrong reasons,” he stated.
The rapper, who has previously faced legal issues involving alleged assault and firearm offences, painted a picture of a man struggling to cope with grief and financial hardship. “Since my discharge from hospital, it seems as though I have money, but I have no dime,” he revealed, expressing the stark contrast between his public image and his private reality.
He described his current situation as that of a “clay-footed celebrity,” highlighting the pressure and vulnerability he feels despite his public persona. "Now the same people who ill-advised me want nothing to do with me," he added, expressing his disillusionment with those who he believes misled him.
Shebeshxt's claims raise serious questions about the management of the funds raised for the Onthatile Foundation and the role of the Makoro Foundation in the organisation of his one-man show. The lack of transparency surrounding the foundation's establishment, coupled with Shebeshxt's significant financial losses, paints a complex picture of exploitation and broken promises in the aftermath of a personal tragedy.
