Why Ncandweni has split

When Sipho Makhabane paid that E3 600 drink driving fine for Khaya-lethu Masuku, he had stirred a hornet’s nest.

It was a kind gesture, appreciated by Khayalethu who had spent a full week in jail, but that was not appreciated by the leader of Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors, MP Timothy Myeni.

Myeni felt like he had been betrayed, by his brother, Mzwakhe and Khaya-lethu as well as a few others who were around when this series of events unfolded. To understand this, Gospel music lovers have to accept that there is a nice quiet rivalry between Myeni and the man known as Big Fish, ever since they split and went their separate ways.
This is something of a best kept secret within the Gospel music fraternity, and while the two have got on with their careers and lives, and pretended to have patched up their differences, the truth is it is always there- and both camps know it.

So, when Big Fish was approached to pay the fine for a Ncandweni mem-ber, the gesture was not appreciated, and taken as betrayal.
The consequence of this was that Khayalethu, who had been told by Myeni that he had let down the group and, therefore, deserved to rot in jail as punishment (and that maybe this would change his behaviour) was a free man, but what was to happen thereafter stirred a lot of trouble.

Mzwakhe was taken to task by his brother for seeking Makhabane’s assis-tance, and the relations between these two have soured since. This past week, Gumede and the Warriors Gospel Group was dropped from the NCA, a company that is owned and directed by Timothy Myeni, for his involvement in  this fiasco.
STYLE sources say Myeni berated Makhabane for his kind gesture, accusing him of having interfered in his business.

According to sources from both camps, Myeni was upset his plan of disciplining Khayalethu had been destroyed and by a person who was not a member of the group. He believed he was doing the greater good to have Khayalethu ‘remain behind bars for a few more days to sober up’.
“There was a heated exchange between Myeni and Makhabane over this, in which Makhabane was accused of intentionally getting involved so as to spite Myeni. Makhabane tried to explain he was merely helping a needy person and that he had no idea what Myeni’s real plan was with regards to having Khayalethu remain behind bars,” said a source.

“He wanted Khayalethu to remain behind bars, and accused Makhabane of not helping to solve the problem by paying his fine. He said he reserved the right to discipline his children the way he wanted, and no outsider should interfere,” said a source close to both parties.
Another Gospel musician said this whole incident was blown out of proportion, and that Myeni took it very personally. “He felt embarrassed, humiliated. It was like he was accusing everyone of trying to make him look bad, or that he could not afford to pay a E3 000 fine.”

This also came out during the heated exchange of words between the two, and it is said Myeni made it clear he didn’t appreciate Makhabane’s invol-vement in his affairs.
However, the two agreed to put their differences aside, and concentrate on their businesses, “but it was a tense few days,” revealed a STYLE source.

Even though the peace pipe was smoked, somewhat, it still left a bitter taste in Myeni, and he has found it difficult to forgive anyone who had any role in Khayalethu being fined out of jail.
The suspension of the members, including Mzwakhe who now says he will go solo, goes a long way to showing that Timothy had not yet forgiven, or got over the incident.

(Additional Story)

Serious division within mighty Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors

By NHLANHLA MATHUNJWA

MANZINI- Division within the once mighty Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors gospel group has reared its ugly head.
The group is not a unit as it used to, at least for now. This was heard during a press conference held yesterday afternoon at the Tum’s George Hotel.

The press conference had been called by two of the group members, who include suspended member Khayalethu Masuku and Mzwakhe Myeni, brother to the group’s founder and leader Timothy Myeni, who doubles as an MP.
The press conference had solely been meant for Masuku to send his apology to the whole nation, especially the Christian community.

During the press conference, it transpired that there was serious tension between the group members and their leader.
Yesterday, the group left the country without Masuku (owing to the suspension) and Mzwakhe, who was busy as stated by him, ‘preparing’ for the press conference that was ironically held on the same day of the group’s departure.

“I am very sorry about all what has happened. There is absolutely nothing to hide. I was arrested for the said offence (drink-driving),” said Masuku. 
He added: “Soon after being released, I have been trying to get hold of Timothy, however, he has not been picking my calls. I ended up not calling him”.
When asked about the relationship within the group, Masuku said there was a lot of tension but hoped that all would be sorted out.

“Since the day I was released from prison, we have not been in talking terms with Myeni. What makes matters worse is that when he heard that I had been arrested, he came and asked the police to release me and brought me the next day. Soon after I had been tried, I spent the next four days in prison as there was no one to pay the fine,” he said.
He said although what he had done was wrong but strongly believes that, “I never deserved to be in prison for four days”.
Masuku added; “The only information I got was that Myeni claimed he was disciplining me and I do not think it was the proper discipline. I must point out that I do not have any problem with him but I know for a fact that he has a problem with me”.
Meanwhile, Mzwakhe pointed that he had tried several times talking to his brother (MP Myeni) about Khayalethu, however, they could not reach a compromise.
“I personally do not have any problem with my brother. The only thing was Khayalethu’s release from jail, which has brought tension within the group,” he said.

He asked members of the public to accept Khayalethu and encourage him as he tries to regain strength.
Also attending the press conference was Apostle Zipho Mhlanga, who is now Khayalethu’s foster father and Association of Christian Artists in Swaziland (ACASWA) President Dumisani Manana.

Mzwakhe not part of Ncandweni until…

MBABANE – Mzwakhe Myeni is currently not part of the group for now.
This was revealed by the group’s leader and founder MP Timothy Myeni.

Interviewed while on his way to Eastern Cape where the group is expected to perform, MP Myeni pointed out that there were issues that Mzwakhe and the group needed to solve before he could be brought back on stage.
“He is aware that we have to sort out some issues that are before us therefore he could not join us. Before we solve the problems, he would not be seen on stage with us,” he said.

He added: “As I speak we are on our way to the Eastern Cape with the rest of the group members and I can confirm that he is not part of us for now and the reason is that we have not yet sat down and discussed.”
When asked if he accepted Masuku’s apologies, MP Myeni pointed out that the apologies were not enough as the most important thing was for him to live a truthful life.

“So long as he fails to live a fruitful life, he will not be allowed in the group. As soon as we see that he is living a clean life, we will then assess him and we will then take it from there,” he said.
 

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