Kirk Franklin’s conduct irks fans

Franklin performed at the Rhema Bible Church in Gauteng on Friday, and at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, and managed to rankle both crowds by starting late.

According to SunBuzz, many of the singer’s fans took to social media over the weekend, to express their display at the singer’s disrespectful conduct.

The International Gospel Blestival in Durban was hosted by radio presenters Siya Mhlongo and Sbu Buthelezi, who reportedly tried to calm down the irate crowd, who angrily chanted “Ake nisheshe ngoba thina sikhokhile (Hurry up, because we’ve paid)”. The hosts apparently told the crowd in isiZulu that Franklin’s “diva tendencies” were the cause of the delays.

“You can’t keep people waiting for so long,” Sbu told the publication.

“These people are upset. They have every right, because the paid a lot of money to be here. Just because he’s from overseas he mustn’t think he can do as he pleases and disrespect them.”

Event organisers Zanele Nkambule and Bishop Mpendulo Nkambule confirmed that they had an argument with the singer’s management.

Said Zanele: “We are Christians, but when it comes to business we need to be firm. Kirk refused to go on stage until his flight details for the next gig were confirmed with flight numbers. The details were there. He wanted them to be in his own particular way. I just couldn’t believe it.”

– TEAMtalk Media