Joyous Celebration directors in financial dispute ahead of 30th anniversary tour

The directors of Joyous Celebration, one of South Africa’s leading gospel choirs, are embroiled in a legal dispute over alleged financial mismanagement. Co-director Lindelani Mkhize has accused his partners, Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Namba, of diverting funds to personal accounts, denying him access to the choir’s banking transactions, and receiving performance fees for events they did not attend. These claims follow previous accusations from Hlongwane and Namba, who alleged that Mkhize failed to account for sponsorships, mishandled company funds, and used corporate assets for personal expenses. Mkhize responded by stating that he was not in control of sponsorship money and that Hlongwane was responsible for the choir’s finances, including VAT obligations to SARS. He has also raised concerns about fraudulent documentation authorising financial decisions and claims some corporate properties were sold without his knowledge. The dispute is being addressed through an alternative dispute resolution process at the Companies Tribunal. This legal wrangle coincides with the choir’s preparations for its Joyous 30/30 Tour, which celebrates three decades of musical achievements and begins in Johannesburg on April 30. The conflict underscores tensions within the organisation about transparency and financial management, highlighting the complexities of running a prominent cultural institution in South Africa.