The late Ukhozi FM presenter and co-organizer of the Uvukile Gospel Festival, Irvin Sihlophe, will be honored during this year’s Uvukile Gospel Festival.

There will be a time dedicated to him to pay tribute, honour, and remember him as it will be the first festival without him.

Irvin had co-organized the festival for 10 years together with comedian and actor Mjostana “Pastor Mjosty” Mbhele and made the festival known.

The gospel festival is dedicated to the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Monday and takes place at the Ugu Sportsground and Leisure Centre in Port Shepstone on the south coast of KZN.

Irvin, who worked for Ukhozi FM for over two decades, died in November 2023 after suffering a stroke.

Pastor Mjosty, the organizer of Uvukile Gospel, told Daily Sun that they’ve dedicated this year’s event to their late co-organizer to honour him.

“We worked with Irvin for many years to organize this biggest gospel festival and our working relationship was good. It will be the first festival without him since we started it many years ago. That’s why we decided to honour him with a platinum hour, just to pay tribute to him, remember him and thank him,” he said.

Pastor Mjosty said they will also use the celebration to pray for the peaceful general elections and pray for the politicians from the various political parties who will be contesting the elections.

“As we approach the general elections, we know that many things are going to happen, and we want to take everything to God with prayers. We will use this biggest gospel festival to pray for peace in the general elections and pray for the politicians to ask God to give them peace as well,” he said.

He said that they’re finalizing the line-up, and it will be announced soon.