Zenoyise Madikwa

Zenoyise Madikwa

Chomee impersonator Joy Iyaya outraged the sexy singer's fans at the weekend by performing the star's Jiva Sexy at Ligwalagwala FM's 26th birthday bash.

Iyaya, a transvestite who makes a living by irritating homophobes in Mpumalanga, is becoming one of the most sought-after performers in the province. But that did not impress Chomee's irate fans at the show, where the popular siSwati station introduced new presenters.

"Half of Mpumalanga is divided about him, but promoters love him because he is entertaining and is a crowd puller," said Prosper Mkwaiwa, a promoter.

"Mpumalanga is predominantly rural so the parochial local people get excited about things that are foreign to them. He performed once or twice in my shows and it worked."

Iyaya, a member of the Vanto dance group, gets his kicks by flaunting his sexuality and riling rural folk who are not exposed to the gay showbiz world.

"This guy works on my nerves. I don't know why promoters are even booking him. He makes a living out of fantasy," said a top Ligwalagwala deejay, who asked not to be named.

"I think he has a crush on Arthur, which is why he calls himself Iyaya, Mafokate's ex-girlfriend.

"He is ugly and insults Chomee's repu- tation. I wanted to throw up when I saw his small dick moving up and down under the woman's short pants he was wearing.

"No matter how hard he tries, he will never be like Chomee.

"He sucks. The most irritating thing about it is that when people boo him he gets into his element."

Iyaya, from Zwelisha Trust near KaNyamazane outside Nelspruit, said he saw nothing wrong with his show.

"I love Chomee. She is a beautiful and talented woman. She is hot and men are crazy about her. I don't see anything wrong in what I am doing."

999 boss Arthur Mafokate told Sowetan that he did not know "this Iyaya".

"If it's fake it won't last. We have had fake Mzekezekes and fake Sgonondos."