Mohalenyane Phakela
THE 2015 edition of the annual Gospel Alive concert is set to feature the South African coterie of Ntokozo Mbambo, Mercy, Tshidi and Ndivhuwo.
Organised by local marketing company, Afro Media, the gospel extravaganza will be held on 5 September at Lehakoe Club in Maseru and hosted by local ensemble Tehillah Africa.
According to Afro Media Marketing Manager, Vuyani Mone, Gospel Alive has grown in stature over the years to become a prominent feature on the local events calendar. He said the concert also served the purpose of fostering interaction between local and foreign artistes.
“The aim of Gospel Alive is to bring accomplished South African gospel singers to Lesotho to inspire and interact with local musicians,” he said.
“We have hosted a number of popular South African artists like Sfiso Ncwane, Benjamin Dube and Teboho Moloi, from Joyous Celebration, and Spirit of Praise.
“The show is not only meant to host foreign acts, but to promote Tehilla since it is through such shows that they are becoming popular and managed to release their first album, Tehilla Africa Vol.1, last year.”
Mone also said the event exposed local singers to international musical standards and motivated them to strive to attain them.
“We always have sessions with our featured guests where we share our experiences and they also equip us with strategies for becoming successful,” he said, adding that this year’s edition would also feature special guest, Abe Sibiya, from One Gospel music channel.
Tehilla, Hebrew for praise God, consists of up-and-coming gospel and jazz musicians. Formed in 2009, the group has lofty ambitions, not least of which is conquering the Mountain Kingdom, the African continent and beyond.
The Maseru-based group draws inspiration from multi award-winning and acclaimed South African gospel group, Joyous Celebration, which has made it big in the cut-throat gospel industry. Much like the South African group, Tehillah Africa employs the talents of various prominent local gospel singers such as the recently enlisted instrumentalist Joey Mofoleng from Spirit of Praise.
Headline act Mbambo is renowned for her stellar voice and music which has touched many hearts over the years. Hailing from Kwa-Zulu Natal province, but now based in Johannesburg, her musical journey started in her church’s worship team.
At the age of 15 she became the youngest member to join Joyous Celebration and released her debut album Bambelela in 2001.
She has opened the stage for countless acclaimed gospel musicians such as Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin and Cece Winans during their South African tours. She has also traveled abroad to perform in the United States, Ghana, Swaziland, Kenya, Botswana and the United Kingdom.
Her latest offering Filled, which was recorded at a sold-out Lyric Theatre concert in Johannesburg, has won awards at the 2013 SAMAs, the 2012 and 2013 Crown Gospel Awards and at the 2013 Africa Gospel Music Awards held in the UK. According to Universal Music, the album has achieved double platinum status in sales.
