Tanzanian gospel singer Upendo Nkone has asked for the car gifted to her by well-wishers to be sold, saying she wants the money to be used to support orphaned children.
Nkone requested this after finding herself at the centre of an online debate following comments she made about gospel musicians and the mixing of religious and secular music.
The singer had spoken about serving God and cautioned gospel ministers against mixing spiritual matters with worldly interests.
Although Nkone did not mention anyone by name, her remarks were widely interpreted as a response to gospel singer Joel Lwaga’s collaboration with Bongo Flava star Diamond Platnumz on their song Nikumbuke.
Nkone explains her comments.
In her clarification, Nkone said her earlier remarks were intended as spiritual advice to servants of God and were not directed at a particular person.
She also thanked the people who had supported her by contributing towards the purchase of her car.
However, she then made an unexpected request to the same people who had helped her acquire the vehicle.
Nkone asked them to contact businesswoman Resty Bura, who had led the fundraising effort, so that they could find a buyer for the car.
She said the money raised from its sale should instead be taken to orphaned children.
“Let us get a buyer quickly, sell our car and take all the money to the orphans,” Nkone said in her message.
She added that she would remain focused on preaching the gospel and leave her future needs in God’s hands.
How the car came about
Earlier this year, Tanzanian fans, artists and other well-wishers contributed towards buying her a vehicle after Resty Bura launched a fundraising campaign.
The campaign eventually raised enough money for Nkone to receive a 2008 Toyota Harrier 240G, which reports claim was valued at more than TSh40 million.
The vehicle was handed over to the gospel singer at Mlimani City in Dar es Salaam.
Her decision to sell it has therefore added another layer to the debate, particularly after some Tanzanians had demanded that she return the vehicle following her comments.
Singer Shilole was among those who publicly questioned the gift during the controversy, saying that if Nkone was promoting religious division, she should return the car that Tanzanians had contributed towards.
Rayvanny jumps into the conversation.
The debate also attracted Bongo Flava star Rayvanny, who appeared alongside Nkone in a video shared on social media.
Rayvanny told those criticising the gospel singer to leave her alone, referring to her as his “mother”.
His post, however, drew a response from Diamond Platnumz, who left a critical comment underneath the video.
Meanwhile, Tanzanian businesswoman and influencer Niffer has appealed to Nkone not to sell the vehicle.
Niffer said the car was given to Nkone through a genuine act of generosity and suggested that it should remain with her as a reminder of the unity that brought Tanzanians together to support her.
She also urged people not to rush to judge Nkone, saying the singer may have struggled to communicate her position clearly on social media.
For now, Nkone’s position remains that she would rather turn the value of the car into support for orphaned children while continuing with her gospel ministry.
