In South Africa, media figures Sol Phenduka and Anele Mdoda have initiated a significant discussion regarding the nature of support in the entertainment industry. Both individuals expressed concerns regarding what they view as an increasing trend of transactional relationships within the field.
On social media, Sol Phenduka conveyed his worries about the prevalent “quid pro quo” mentality that he believes is influencing the industry.
In his post, he expressed disappointment over the decline of genuine support, noting that supportive gestures or public endorsements often come with certain expectations.
“It’s sad that the entertainment industry has become such a quid pro quo game,” he wrote.
“When someone shows you love, you can bet they ask something from you in return. Why can’t we just push the people we are genuinely fans of? It’s not always about benefitting from the person you show support,” Phenduka continued.
His statements resonated widely, including with Anele Mdoda, who shared similar views while providing a broader analysis of the situation.
Mdoda believes that the lack of true support among professionals is hindering progress and stymieing growth in the industry.
“I always say this,” she remarked. “The reason the industry is shrinking is because the industry, us in it, don’t know how to be fans of each other. Like you don’t know how to consume anything that you are not part of? That’s weird because to be a custodian and a person of the arts, the barrier to entry is to be a massive fan of the arts.”
Mdoda’s comments underline what she perceives as a significant disconnection; creatives often fail to support or engage with works that do not involve them directly.
She contends that being in the arts should naturally entail an appreciation of others’ contributions, a quality she believes is diminishing.
The dialogue between these two figures has prompted a broader online conversation, with many observing that the entertainment sector could thrive with a more genuine support framework.
