Heinz Winckler – South Africa’s first winner of Idols SA – and his wife Alette have responded to the controversy surrounding their “conservative” book launch at the Breytenbach Centre, founded in honour of the late Breyten Breytenbach.
The singer, who is now the lead pastor of his own church, was criticized for promoting the Christian book at the multicultural centre.
He has previously courted controversy for his alleged homophobic and transphobic views.
Breytenbach – an acclaimed author and anti-Apartheid activist – died over the weekend.
HEINZ WINCKLER AND WIFE REACT TO ‘CONSERVATIVE’ BOOK CONTROVERSY
Last week, the Breytenbach Centre was inundated with complaints about Alette and Heinz Winckler’s book launch. The husband-and-wife duo launched their separate books, ‘Life Guides for Women’ and ‘Life Guides for Men.’
The books are based on the Christian principles outlined in the Bible.
However, many social media followers of the centre were unimpressed with the couple – particularly Heinz, whose “conservative” views.
Many claimed that the Wincklers promoted “divisive,” “sexist,” and “undermined transformation.”
The Idols SA season one winner has previously been accused of homophobia and transphobia.
Reacting to the outcry, Heinz Winckler posted on his own Instagram account: “If you believe like us that the Bible is the Word of God, and believe we must be obedient to it, you are also conservative in the eyes of some ‘woke’ liberals. That’s why we say YES loudly; we are conservative.”
Responding to one follower, he added: “It’s actually a big compliment because if conservative means to believe in the Bible, then we are conservative.”
Heinz’s wife, Alette, posted on her Instagram feed, “If I am going to make the Sunday tabloids because I believe the word of God is the HIGHEST AUTHORITY, then bring it on!”
BREYTENBACH CENTRE ISSUES FORMAL RESPONSE
Following social media outcry, the Breytenbach Centre issued a formal response to the controversy surrounding Alette and Heinz Winckler’s book launches.
It read: “By giving a platform to an artist or author’s work does not mean that the Centre endorses it. The open conversation that is part of such an event gives participants a chance to hear from different world views.
Images via Instagram:
@heinz.winkler
It added: “Empathy is a most important quality. It is also one that those involved (mostly volunteers) at the Breytenbach Centre strive every day to the best of their ability. Everyone is welcome here to come and chat about a cup of good coffee in a safe space. Here we are looking each other in the eyes.”
As a result, the Breytenbach Centre promised to roll out a special initiative based on “Freedom of Speech within the context of gender and sexuality” in early 2025.
Na aanleiding van versoeke via sosiale media om die bekendstelling van Heinz en Aletté-Johanni Winckler se nuwe boeke te…
Posted by Breytenbach Sentrum on Wednesday 20 November 2024
FROM ‘IDOLS’ TO PASTOR
In 2002, Heinz Winckler won the very first season of Idols South Africa. The SAMA-nominated star released three acclaimed studio albums following the competition.
A year after the Idols SA win, Heinz took fourth place in the inaugural World Idol competition.
In recent years, he has hung up his mic to pursue a career in the ministry. In 2021, he became the lead pastor at the LoveKey Church in Somerset West.
Heinz and married image consultant and author wife Alette – who married in 2006 – have four children together.
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