Gospel group Abathandwa accuse Ayanda Ncwane of exploitation

Gospel music group Abathandwa are accusing reality TV star and businesswoman Ayanda Ncwane of not paying them for their album, Ehhe Moya Wami.

Earlier this month, the former Real Housewives of Durban (RHOD) star revealed that she and the group parted ways amicably. However, according to Sunday World, they are singing a different tune.

ALSO READ: Abathandwa parts ways with Ayanda Ncwane’s record label

ABATHANDWA CLAIM THEY’VE ONLY RECEIVED R300 000

The 11-members music group claim that they have not received their royalties for their multi-platinum song, Moya Wami, which was released in 2017. They said that Ncwane – who managed them through Ncwane Communications – only gave them their plaque.

According to Abathandwa lead singer, Percy Nyoka, they met Ncwane through her late gospel star husband, Sfiso Ncwane, shortly before passing. After the Kulungile Baba hitmaker’s death, his widow took over and worked with the ensemble, however, they claim that they have not been given any contract, and they don’t know how much their music is worth.

ALSO READ: Ayanda Ncwane’s ‘fire prayers’ leave fans ‘concerned’ [watch]

“When the working relationship started, it started very well… What we wanted was given to us in terms of having an album. We thought we were going to learn a lot of things because we are quite active and we are eager to learn. The opportunity we were given did not come with a contract, the conversation was that they wanted to empower us.

“Ayanda is the one who knows everything regarding Abathandwa payments and royalties because everything is with her… As I speak to you now as a composer for our songs, I have not received a cent in royalties. I would always ask and that will end up in fights,” Nyoka said.

He said that so far they’ve only received R300 000 in 2020 and when they questioned Ncwane she tells them to speak to the distributor directly.

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Another group member, Manqoba Ngubane, says that they had planned to move on with their lives but Ncwane “continues to do things behind our backs to sabotage our brand.”

Abathandwa now call themselves Abathandwa Musical Group (ATMG) and are singed under Dondolo Music Productions. The group has a new manager and released a new single last month titled Mangisondele.

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AYANDA NCWANE IS NOW A YOUTUBER

When Ncwane announced Abathandwa’s departure, she said that she was focusing on other business ventures.

The media personality recently announced her return to social media and the launch of her YouTube channel, further telling fans that she would use her second chance to serve God and his ministry.

In her first YouTube video, she shared her near-death experience, saying while she was in hospital she saw her whole life flashing before her eyes.

Her second video caused a frenzy on Twitter after a snippet of it was shared on the social media platform. In the video, Ncwane can be heard praying in tongues as she sings to her God during her “prophetic declarations and fire prayers”.