Following a nasty war of words this week, award-winning singer Dumi Mkokstad and event organiser Aviwe Gqomfo have kissed and made up. The two released a joint statement on Thursday publicly apologising to one another. Earlier in the week, Gqomfo made derogatory remarks, insinuating that the gospel singer was getting "sleeping with men for money".                                                                                                                                                                                                                               "After a marathon meeting that lasted for three hours, we are happy to announce  that we discussed at great length the cumulative differences that we have had over the few years which we regarded as too insignificant to directly address ad they happened," the statement reads.

A WOUND THAT LED TO HURTFUL THINGS

The statement further said, "During the meeting we came to realisation that the combined effect of what we regarded as minor issues festered into a wound that made us to say hurtful things to each other without paying due attention to our respective brands would be affected." In a joint statement Mkokstad publicly apologised to Gqomfo. "I sincerely apologized to Aviwe for the hurtful comments I made on Facebook about him and his company which created  an impression that its success came as a result of him of being a parasite that rides on the goodwill of others. In reality, I have worked with Aviwe on many projects and I have always admired his work ethic and dedication. What was written in jest harmed him and his company greatly and in that I reiterate my apology to him, his family, friends and his business associates. I look forward to working with him in future as brothers and colleagues in the music industry. As devoted Christian I believe in forgiveness," the statement reads.

DEEP REGRET

Responding to Mkokstad's apology, Aviwe shared the same sentiment. "The past few days, and the meeting itself, gave me an opportunity to reflect on, and reassess my role in what happened between myself and Dumi. I deeply regret that I allowed anger caused by his hurtful comments to push me to react in the manner that I did. In hindsight, I concede that I should have taken my gripe directly with him as a brother," he said, adding that, "I wish to particularly express my most sincere regret that one specific reply to a derogatory comment by another Facebook user did more damage to a brother who has for years battled against false rumours about his sexuality. I have since realised that I should have been more circumspect in what I wrote. That inconsiderate comment transformed my long-held sympathy for him relating to the false allegations into what many may have perceived as a direct confirmation of the rumours from someone who has been working closely with him. The truth is that I have worked with Dumi on numerous occasions and we have spent time together at various events. Not once have I ever seen any evidence of the rumours that he was
gay. On the contrary, before he got married, as young single men we were openly attracted to women. Having also accepted his apology towards me, I wish to extend my apology to his wife and family, as well as his fans, and wish him all the best in his musical career."

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