GOSPEL WARS: Joyous Celebration's Lindelani Mkhize hits back at Jabu Hlongwane.

Joyous Celebration co-director Lindelani Mkhize has strongly rebutted allegations that he was involved in multiple financial irregularities related to the internationally renowned gospel group he helped establish in the 1990s.

Mkhize was accused by his co-directors, Jabu Hlongwane and another director known to the publication, of failing to disclose and account for monies owed to the corporation, which allegedly led to the Joyous Celebration Foundation NPC receiving a R1 million tax demand from SARS in 2024.

Among other allegations, Mkhize was accused of secretly securing sponsorships.

These claims form part of an alternative dispute resolution application filed last month with the Companies Tribunal by co-directors Goodman “Jabu” Hlongwane and their partner.

Joyous Celebration, renowned for its dynamic live performances, has launched the solo careers of numerous gospel artists. The choir has signed with major labels, including Universal Music Africa and Motown Gospel in the US, and has won multiple South African Music Awards (SAMAs).

In speaking to the Daily News, Mkhize addressed the allegations regarding his alleged involvement in financial irregularities.

He stated that Hlongwane handled all banking matters, supported by a 2016 bank letter seen by the publication confirming this, and that he never had access to the company’s bank account.

Mkhize said it was only after he pursued the matter further with the company’s accountant that he became aware of the gravity of the situation.

Initial resistance from Hlongwane to grant the accountant access eventually gave way under pressure, revealing concerning details about the company’s financial management.

According to the accountant, critical information had not been provided by Hlongwane, resulting in a lack of awareness about other significant debts owed by the company beyond SARS.

It was after gaining access to the company’s bank statements for the first time that Mkhize said he made further discoveries.

He stated that what particularly concerned him were substantial performance fees paid to Hlongwane and the other director, which he said appeared disproportionately high, especially compared to his own compensation.

Mkhize said that despite diligently preparing the choir, he earned considerably less. Faced with these discrepancies, he questioned the justification for these payments.

The dispute evolved into differing views. Hlongwane and other stakeholders defended the payments, likening them to a business owner drawing a salary from their own venture.

Mkhize maintained that such payments should have been structured as dividends to reflect equitable distribution aligned with performance contributions.

He said tensions began in the post-Covid-19 period when he was focused on ensuring the choir’s survival and supporting its members.

He noted what he described as an absence from his long-time collaborators, Hlongwane and their partner.

“After that show, I asked if we could have a meeting as shareholders,” Mkhize said. “I felt isolated — where are you? I’m all alone.”

He said that during this meeting, the other director expressed a desire to withdraw from Joyous Celebration, stating: “At this point, I want to focus on my own things.” Hlongwane subsequently did the same.

Their decisions, Mkhize said, left him confronting uncertainty about the future of the group.

“I made it clear that I would continue with Joyous Celebration because it is my baby,” he said. However, he added that the process of separation became complicated.

Despite what he described as an initial agreement to handle matters internally, he said the situation shifted when he received a letter from Hlongwane’s lawyer in March 2022 demanding a formal buyout.

As tensions escalated, Mkhize said he requested transparency regarding the company’s financial status. He claimed that Hlongwane, who managed Joyous CC, was reluctant to provide details about mounting debts, including amounts owed to SARS.

After what he described as a prolonged effort to obtain information, Mkhize met with the accountant, who informed him that key documents had not been submitted, contributing to limited awareness of the company’s financial obligations.

Mkhize said he also discovered that Hlongwane and the other director continued receiving performance fees despite not participating in shows, while he carried operational responsibilities.

“How is it possible that you get paid when you have not worked?” he asked.

He reiterated his view that such payments should have been structured as dividends, reflecting differences among the founders regarding compensation and responsibility.

Addressing allegations that he took out a loan, Mkhize said the amount formed part of his remuneration over time, as he had not drawn a salary from Joyous Celebration since its inception, but was paid for stage production work.

He explained that R300,000 was allocated for a side venture and was documented as a loan rather than income.

According to Mkhize, the intention was to settle the amount through dividends, treating it as a director’s loan rather than salary. He said this was communicated to Hlongwane.

Mkhize said he believes he is being unfairly singled out in scrutiny of the company’s financial practices.

He stated that documentation highlights only his loans, while those of other directors are not referenced.

He also raised concerns about company travel expenses.

He said his use of the company credit card for business-related travel, including flights, car rentals and accommodation, has been examined, while similar records of other directors have not been subject to the same scrutiny.

“Why is it that only my financial activities are scrutinised? This is not just about accountability, but about fairness across the board,” he said.

Mkhize concluded by saying he has not been on speaking terms with Hlongwane and the other director for an extended period.

“We have put up a facade in public for the benefit of the brand Joyous Celebration and to protect the cast and crew, who have been unaware of what has been happening behind the scenes.

“My last personal interaction with the other director was more than three years ago during meetings with lawyers. Hlongwane and I have also not been on speaking terms for a significant period.

“We have attended events where we were seated at the same table by hosts unaware of the strain in our relationship. The facade was maintained.

“I have not shared a friendship, let alone a brotherhood, with these two gentlemen for a long time based on what has transpired in our working and personal relationship, and they both know that.”

When approached for comment, Hlongwane told the Daily News that the matter was being handled by their lawyers.

“I am not at liberty to talk about it until everything has been resolved. The situation concerns changes to the company’s structure and direction.

“This process involves legal procedures that must be followed,” Hlongwane said.

DAILY NEWS