What was meant to be a night of divine celebration has turned into a nightmare for several South African gospel artists. The 18th Annual Crown Gospel Awards, held this past November at the Durban ICC, is now at the center of a brewing legal and PR scandal.
Months after the late Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule’s vision was brought to life by her successors, the “World Gospel Powerhouse” is being called out for allegedly ghosting the very talent that made the ceremony possible.
The Breaking Point
The silence was broken when artist Nonhlanhla Patricia Matleng went public with her frustration. According to Matleng:
- The Contract: Artists were promised payment within 30 days of the November 23rd recording.
- The Reality: 120 days later, bank accounts remain empty.
- The Silence: Calls are ignored, phones are switched off, and emails have vanished into the void.
“What is even more disheartening is not just the non-payment, but the total silence… There’s been no explanation, no accountability, nothing,” Matleng shared in a viral social media post.
A Legacy at Risk?
With Bishop Mpendulo Nkambule and Nongabulo Mdluli now at the helm, the gospel community is demanding answers. As more anonymous performers come forward with similar stories of being dismissed by management, the pressure is mounting.
Will the “Powerhouse” settle its debts, or will this silence tarnish the crown of South Africa’s biggest gospel night?
