LEGENDARY gospel star Hlengiwe Mhlaba has been dumped by her management team.
And it's alleged that her public support for the ANC is what caused the rift.
The singer is now allegedly finding it difficult to get bookings, except when booked by the governing party in KZN.
Three different sources who spoke to Daily Sun said the Mhlekazi hitmaker wouldn't listen when her management team advised against her decision to publicly support the ANC.
"She was managed by Ungazibulali Awareness Campaign founder Nkululeko Khanyi and his team. They were helping to promote her music. When they realised Hlengiwe was an unfazed ANC member, they tried to talk to her about the dangers of revealing, as an artist, the political party that she supports. They told her it wasn't good for her career. But she was unwilling to listen," said one of the sources.
Another source said Khanyi, who is a motivational speaker and mental health advocate, didn't give up on Hlengiwe.
"When the team said helping Hlengiwe compromised their PR careers, Khanyi tried to convince them not to give up on her. But she wasn't willing to listen. Then Khanyi, who also works in the entertainment industry organising events, rested his case. He and the team dumped her, and she has no manager," said the source.
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A third source told Daily Sun Hlengiwe spends most of her time in KZN amid the upcoming elections.
"Her ex-management team wants nothing to do with her. But she doesn't seem to care because for now, she gets gigs from the ANC. She's busy now that the elections are around the corner. We don't know what will happen after the elections. Maybe she'll hire a new manager, " said the source.
Khanyi confirmed to the People's Paper he no longer works with Hlengiwe.
"The team and I helped her promote her work, including acting gigs. We love and respect her as a living legend and felt honoured to work with a talented artist like her. But we're no longer working with her due to a misunderstanding on some issues I can't mention. We wish her well in her career, " said Khanyi.
Thobile Mchunu, who worked with Khanyi to promote Hlengiwe, also confirmed they're no longer manage her.
"I can't reveal everything to you, but yes, we're no longer working together. That's all I can say," said Thobile.
Hlengiwe refused to comment on the matter, only saying that it's deep.
"Why can't we (Mzansi artists) support political parties while overseas artists are not afraid to share their political views?" asked Hlengiwe.
