Free State gospel stars shine

Band gains recognition … The CRC’s Radiation Band from Bloemfontein has made a name for itself in the gospel industry.

For some it is a divine calling, for others an expression of faith, but most gospel singers have one thing in common – a deep-seated passion for exploring their God-given talents through performance.

Like other forms of Christian music, the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace.

The Free State is fast coming to the fore on the gospel music front with various artists making it big in the industry.

Most fans know the rags to riches story of award-winning gospel singer Sechaba Pali from Welkom.

Passion for gospel … David ‘Daya’ Roman lives to express his praise.

Having grown up in what he called “a gospel house”, Pali rebelled against his Christian upbringing and left the Free State to seek fame and fortune in Johannesburg.

However, his dreams were soon dashed and he ended up living on the streets. Destitute, he took to taking drugs to help him forget the cold and hunger.

Pali never stopped singing and a local street vendor would offer him food in exchange for a tune. After a while, his angelic voice attracted the attention of a passer-by who noticed him washing cars. This Good Samaritan took Pali to Downtown Music Warehouse where he started working as a cleaner and later a cook for the artists.

One day, the world-renowned gospel group Joyous Celebration was hosting auditions at the Warehouse and Pali decided to take a chance. Within a month, Pali had gone from singing on the streets to performing with the group at a gospel festival in London.

Pali is now a household name, has released four albums, and received many accolades, including a South African Music Award (SAMA).

Another well-known Free State gospel musician is Teboho. The Kestell-born Teboho Molo has been at it since 1992. He has performed at prestigious government functions throughout the province and is a household name. With several albums under his name produced by his record label Teboho Abednego Music, this muso’s tunes continue to enjoy airplay on many local and national radio stations.

The Bloemfontein Christian Revival Church’s (CRC) Radiation Band is also stamping its authority in the gospel industry.

Dedicated to God … Bloemfontein’s Dipuo ‘Mamiekey’ Majawetsa-Mathe recently released an album.

The band catapulted to fame last year when they received a SAMA for Best Contemporary Christian Album for With All My Heart.

Stardom has, however, not gotten the better of the members and shortly after the awards member Seth Winkler was quoted saying: “Although this award is a great honour, the real success of the album is how the songs have changed people’s lives. The power behind worship is its ability to affect the eternal destiny of a soul, something we should never take lightly.”

Lufuno Muthala plays the guitar in the band. He said his love for gospel music started in the church.

The managing director of South Africa’s largest Christian music company Integrity Media Africa, Nurden Cross, believes more church worship bands will be recognised for their contributions in the future.

David Roman, also known as Daya, said his music career also started in church in 1991 when he was part of a church band. Roman, who currently lives in Bloemfontein, released his album Have Faith in February 2011.

“I believe that in order to make it as a gospel artist you must have passion for gospel music and everything else will follow. As an artist, I write my own songs because I believe they tell a story that other people can relate to and performing at church means one already has an audience.”

Dipuo Majawetsa-Matheis is another gospel singer who originates from Bloemfontein. She released her album My Version of Gospel earlier this year.

“It is a great challenge being a gospel artist. It requires a lot of patience and hard work. But I believe that a lot of people are changing their mindset about gospel music.”

The bubbly singer added that she hopes to work with other aspiring gospel artists in future in order “to put the Free State on the map”.