Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi’s public comments about artists’ struggles during ongoing xenophobic tensions prompt a response from South Africa’s Minister Gayton McKenzie, who says he feels insulted. According to the report, McKenzie reacts to Kubayi’s portrayal of artists’ circumstances, which is presented as being tied to the economic and social pressures linked to xenophobia. The exchange highlights disagreement within government over how the plight of artists is characterised and addressed amid heightened tensions. The reporting frames the issue as part of a broader concern about how xenophobic violence and hostility affect livelihoods, including in the creative sector. No additional details about the exact statements made by either minister are provided in the source summary. The dispute therefore centres on McKenzie’s reaction to Kubayi’s remarks and the wider context of xenophobia’s impact on artists’ economic well-being.