Latest news with #JoyousCelebration
IOL News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Bongiwe Madela's musical odyssey: from church choir to chart-topping star
Bongiwe Madela is not just another artist in the gospel genre; she is a pioneering voice that appeals to both traditional gospel aficionados and a younger generation. Image: Supplied In a remarkable era for gospel music, female artists in South Africa are leaving an indelible mark that echoes far beyond the church walls. Their powerful ballads and uplifting worship anthems are not merely filling airwaves; they are shaping the contemporary soundscape of faith-based music as never before. These talented women are breaking barriers, leading worship, headlining tours and creating a renewed sense of connection for audiences across the nation. One shining star in this vibrant scene is Bongiwe Madela, a gifted singer and songwriter hailing from Katlehong, Gauteng. Madela's journey began with a Music Performance degree, where she cultivated her musical talents as a backing vocalist for several prominent South African artists, including Dr Tumi and Collen Maluleke. Her skills ultimately found a larger platform when she joined Joyous Celebration, an internationally acclaimed gospel group, three years ago. Her transition from supporting roles to a leading figure has been marked by determination and a lifelong dream of creating her own music. 'It has always been a dream of mine to create my own music and I've always had the gift of songwriting,' she recalled. 'It was just a matter of time.' Madela's rise in the industry was further marked by her powerful representation of Africa on BET's "Sunday Best" in 2019. She shared the stage with luminaries like VaShawn Mitchell, Kirk Franklin and Kelly Price, showcasing her talent to an international audience. Since then, her discography has expanded, with multiple songs now available on various digital platforms, capturing the hearts of listeners with her unique sound and meaningful lyrics. A significant milestone in her career came in June 2024, when Madela held her first live concert at the House of Treasures Ministries in Johannesburg. The concert was not just a performance but an authentic expression of faith that translated into a subsequent release of songs recorded during the event. One standout track, 'Konke Kimi', was launched as a single on September 20, further solidifying her position as a formidable artist. Bongiwe Madela is not just another artist in the gospel genre; she is a pioneering voice that appeals to both traditional gospel aficionados and a younger generation. Image: 98eight In a conversation with "Independent Media Lifestyle", Madela reflected on her inspirations, citing gospel legends like Rebecca Malope and Ntokozo Mbambo as significant influences. 'The amazing women who've made a great impact in the South African gospel music industry have moulded me into the musician I am today,' she asserted passionately. With an impressive streaming record across digital platforms, Madela is not just another artist in the gospel genre; she is a pioneering voice that appeals to both traditional gospel aficionados and a younger generation seeking a deeper spiritual connection through music. Her latest EP, 'The Walk', has been met with acclaim, and her live performances exude both skill and anointing, making her one of the most exciting new talents to emerge in recent years. 'The Walk' is an extension of her previous work, 'The Wait', which explored themes of faith and patience. 'This one is about walking with the Lord,' she explained, indicative of her deep spiritual reflection and commitment to her faith. Madela's recent singles, including 'Konke Kimi' and 'Umelusi', have set the stage for this new project. When asked about the inspiration behind her latest works, she revealed, 'My walk with Christ. Choosing to follow Him and surrendering to His will.' As her influence grows, Madela has earned a nomination for Best Newcomer at the 2025 INGOMA Awards (Independent National Gospel Music Awards), an honour that took her by surprise and filled her with excitement. 'It means growth,' she said, reflecting on what winning would signify, especially as a burgeoning woman in the industry. 'It would mean all things are possible if you believe and put in the work.' The industry is indeed evolving, though Madela noted that this transformation is not solely about advancing women in the music industry. 'The industry is changing totally and opening for everyone,' she clarified. As she continues to carve her niche, she expressed a desire for collaboration, mentioning her dream to work with Ntokozo Mbambo, an artist she admires deeply. Looking ahead, Madela aspires for her music to reach global audiences, determined to establish herself as a worldwide gospel artist. 'For 2025, I hope to grow more as a child of God and deepen my knowledge of Him,' she shared, grounded yet ambitious. Her journey is one of unwavering faith, passion and an impactful legacy that will inspire future generations in the Gospel music sphere. ∎ 'The Walk' EP is a confident, well-balanced journey through worship and reflection. Standouts like 'Busa' and 'Ngisebenzise' bring dynamic and emotional peaks, while 'uMusa' and 'Thando' showcase vulnerability and grace. The production is clean and consistent, though a couple of tracks could benefit from deeper musical layering. Rating: 4/5
TimesLIVE
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Gospel star Ntokozo Mbambo and hubby celebrate 17-year anniversary
Gospel star Ntokozo Mbambo and her husband Nqubeko Mbatha are marking a milestone in their union, as they celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary. The couple tied the knot on May 17 2008 after meeting when they were both still members of gospel choir Joyous Celebration. Celebrating each other and expressing love for one another is not new for them as they never miss each other's birthday celebrations and their anniversaries, on which each pens a heartwarming message about their union, expressing their love for each other. Recently, the couple took to their Instagram pages respectively and thanked God for blessing their union. Nqubeko took to her social media page: ' Life is so good with you. You are the evidence of God's favour in my life. I love you.'
eNCA
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- eNCA
Joyous Celebration's Esethu goes solo
JOHANNESBURG - You'll mostly know her for her rich and deep voice in Joyous Celebration. Following her monumental success with the group, Esethu Siwe begins her solo journey with the anticipated debut single, 'Ndobalekela Kuphi'. It's a stirring, sing-along anthem that echoes the sentiment of Psalm 139, a heartfelt declaration that no matter where we go, we can never escape God's presence. READ: Joyous Celebration takes Easter Megafest to Durban The songbird had a sit-down with eNCA's Sindi Mabe to talk more about her solo career that she is pursuing.
TimesLIVE
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Joyous celebration sensation Sefako Mamabolo prepares his second album
Joyous Celebration sensation Sefako Mamabolo is recording his second album. The acclaimed gospel artist known to fans as Psalmist Sefako is set to record Christ Revealed live on May 30 at the Pretoria State Theatre in Tshwane. Born and raised in the village Segopje outside Polokwane, Psalmist Sefako's musical journey began in the church, where he sang and played piano from the age of 12. Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Sefako said his early exposure to worship music earned him invitations to perform at weddings and churches throughout his community, building a fan base from a young age. 'Beyond my musical accomplishments, I'm also a qualified electrical engineer and have appeared in popular soap operas such as The River on Mzansi Magic and Lithapo on SABC2. I recorded my first demo in 2007, and after releasing my fourth studio album, I made a significant impact with my 2016 live album Ba Founela Modimo, recorded at the Breytenbach Theatre in Pretoria,' he said. Psalmist Sefako is set for another milestone with the live recording of Christ Revealed. 'My growing influence in the gospel music scene led to an invitation to join the renowned MTN Joyous Celebration group, where I recorded the hit song Modimo ke lerato on Joyous 22. The track became a national sensation, followed by hits such as Ska sheba wa nnyatsa,' Sefako said.
News24
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Beyond the awards: The inspiring story of gospel singer Xolly Mncwango's musical journey
Gospel singer Xolly Mncwango won Best Female Artist and Best Gospel Album at the 2025 Metro FM Music Awards. She hopes her listeners will take away hope and inspiration from her music. Xolly reveals a touching moment she shared with an audience member, reaffirming her purpose in music. _________________________________________________________________________ Xolile Mncwango is witnessing the fruits of her labour in real time. Affectionately known as Xolly Mncwango, she has just come off two major wins in her career, bagging the Best Gospel Album for her sophomore project Unusual and Best Female Artist wins. Since the contemporary gospel singer's debut studio album dropped in 2020 after spending nearly a decade working with renowned gospel artists and choirs like Joyous Celebration and Benjamin Dube, Xolly's latest awards are a testament to her hard work and unwavering faith. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Xolly Mncwango (@xollymncwa) Xolly is undoubtedly one of South Africa's essential voices in the local contemporary gospel scene, touching heartstrings with impactful praise songs like Ungukuphila and Healing Power. Doing it for who she loves Xolly's collection of awards now includes a South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best Contemporary Faith Music, a Crown Gospel Award for Best Female Artist of the Year and Best Streamed Song along with her two Metro FM awards. While winning these awards are a formidable achievement on their own, Xolly's purpose with her artistry is all about lifting others through her faith and angelic vocals. Xolly tells TRUELOVE what she hopes her listeners will take away and learn from her music. 'I hope that my supporters will take away a sense of hope, inspiration, and encouragement from my music. I pray that my songs will touch their hearts, uplift their spirits, and remind them of God's love and presence in their lives.' She continues, 'I hope that my music will: Inspire faith and trust in God. Encourage perseverance through life's challenge. Provide comfort and solace in times of need. Remind them of their worth, value, and purpose. Ultimately, I hope that my music will be a reflection of God's love and a blessing to all who listen.' Xolly's inspirations in music 'My musical inspirations are a diverse group of artists my mentor and my producer who have shaped my sound, style, and passion for music. Siyanqoba Mthethwa: My brother who is also my producer for all my released albums. Yolanda Adams: A legendary gospel artist, her timeless voice and classic songs have taught me the importance of crafting music that stands the test of time. These people have inspired me to create music that is authentic, innovative, and impactful. Their influence has helped shape my unique sound and style.' Xolly dedicates her deserved success to her son, whom she says is 'a precious motivation for my hard work and legacy. Inspiring him through my achievements will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on his life. Leaving a legacy that shows him the value of perseverance, dedication, and passion will be a priceless gift that will shape his own journey and aspirations.' There's power in purpose Intentionality is at the heart of Xolly's music. Not only did she study music theory at Varsity College to better her understanding of her craft, Xolly's passionate vocals and the lyrics behind them have changed people's lives. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Xolly Mncwango (@xollymncwa) Sharing a moment in her career that reaffirmed her calling to music, Xolly tells us about one moment that stood out to her when performing a worship concert and saw the impact her music had on the audience. She says, 'As I sang, I noticed a woman in the front row who was visibly moved to tears. She was worshipping with abandon, and I could sense the weight of God's presence in the room. 'After the concert, she approached me and shared how my music had ministered to her during a difficult season in her life. She told me that my songs had brought her comfort, hope, and healing.' In that moment, Xolly knew that she was on the right path and is fulfilling her purpose as a musician.
