Caesar who is also known as  “The First Lady of Gospel Music”  will start her tour at Durban’s International Conference Centre on the 27th of November  before heading to Mpumalanga on the 28th and Johannesburg on the 29th. In Durban, she will be supported by South African gospel music heavyweights, Deborah Fraser and Hlengiwe.

Sipho Makhabane, the Church on The Hill Choir, Themba Mdluli, Goodman Mgibe, Benjamin Dube and Solly Mahlangu will join Caesar when she performs at Nelspruit Rugby Stadium in Mpumalanga.

Her tour will end at the Coca-Cola Dome in Johannesburg, where she will be supported by Zodwa Twecu, Keke and Redeemed.

Caesar, who is also a Pastor, began her recording career in 1951. Since then, she has recorded over forty albums, exploring her gift and spreading messages of faith. She has participated in over 16 compilations and three gospel musicals. She has been awarded 11 Grammy Awards, 13 Stellar Awards, 18 Doves, 1 RIAA gold certification, an Essence Award, McDonald’s Golden Circle Lifetime Achievement Award, NAACP Achievement Award, SESAC Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the shows are available at Computicket and Shoprite Checkers.

Written by Eddie Hatitye

After having been involved and leading the choir for many years, the talented Simelane has decided to leave I.P.C.C and pursue a solo career in music.

Simelane has been the leader of the choir for many years, pushing it through eighteen successful projects. With her irresistible voice, the I.P.C.C has become popularly known for offering inspiring and healing songs. It was partly the work of the lead singer that helped the I.P.C.C. become one of the best selling gospel choirs of all times.

Simelane, who joined the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in the ’80s, will be releasing a solo album which is titled ‘Ngiphakamise’. On the album, the talented vocalist promises gospel music lovers to expect uplifting hymns and worship songs.

Besides leaving the I.P.C.C, the singer has also left the International Pentecostal Holiness Church so that she can pursue her calling to help disadvantaged people. It is clear that helping the poor has been something Simelane wanted to pursue a while back but couldn’t fulfill the mandate as she had other commitments. Now that she has created space for other interests, the female artist will surely be involved in community upliftment projects while she continues spreading the holy word of God.

Even though Simelane served the I.P.C.C for a very long time and contributed to positioning the choir where it is today, we should all support her in her new musical journey. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”

Eddie: Awesome performance….

Deborah: Thanks Eddie. How do you do?

Eddie: You’ve just proved that a lot of people love you. Why do you think they love you so much?

Deborah: They love me because of what I do; I always perform my own compositions. The songs I sing are my original compositions. And the message I present to them is always relevant.

Eddie: What are you currently working on?

Deborah: I am working on my celebration album, not gospel album but celebration album.

Eddie: Ok. Why the change?

Deborah: I’ve been going through different trials and tribulations lately,  last year I lost my mom, this year in May I lost my brother and two weeks ago I buried my father so I’m trying to be happy despite the pain. I know if I go to studio and sing gospel at this moment people will cry because of the things I will be talking about. You see, sometimes it’s just too hard for me. But around Easter next year, people should expect a full gospel album.

Eddie: Where can we find you performing this summer?

Deborah: I have a lot of shows lined up – Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town, everywhere. I also have shows in Nigeria and Kenya towards the end of this year.

Eddie: And how is the response outside South Africa?

Deborah: It’s great; it actually feels as if I’m performing in South Africa.

It is indeed great to see people from all the walks of life coming together to honor one of the artists that contributed to lifting Gospel music higher and higher.

It is no secret that Shuping is one artist that has won many hearts with his soul touching Gospel compositions. It was his God given singing talent that made him the talk of the town and amongst other things, a great Gospel artist.
On the 24th of Sept, those behind the awards organized a special prayer service which took place at the artist’s home in Pretoria, Attridgeville. Supporting one of their own, the service was attended by about twenty five gospel artists, including Solly Mahlangu, Zodwa, Tebs Davids, Reverend Nyembe and Rebecca Malope.
There is no doubt that such a special visit has put a smile on Shuping’s face. It is great to see artists supporting each other through thick and thin. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” – Romans 8:38-39.

Witten by: Eddie Hatitye

Hundreds of gospel music lovers thronged Soweto’s Dobonsville stadium on Sunday (4 October), to witness live, the cream of the local gospel scene over nine hours. It was a very well organised event that undoubtedly left many fans gasping for more. The sound was phenomenal and the performers were more than prepared to rock the 2000 plus crowed.

Emceed by young TV presenter, Twasa (popular for SABC’s Jam Alley show) the fest kicked off at 9 am, with fascinating performances from up-and-coming names who readied the crowd for prominent names such as Rebecca Malope, Deborah Fraser,Sechaba, Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Sipho Makhabane, Winnie Mashaba and Keke. Things really started heating up at around 11 am, upon the introduction of household names, in particular Sechaba, who dazzled the audience with hits from his commercially successful sophomore album “Modimo O Teng”.

From there on, the event got even better and better, complemented by chilly temperatures which also helped to stimulate massive dances in the audience.

Sechaba left the stage for husband and wife, Bongi & Collin, who took the event to another level with only five songs. Thereafter the iconic Deborah Fraser rocked in and it was very easy for her to woo the crowed with a few chart-topping hits that have made her one of the most successful female musician in the country.

The highlight of the afternoon came from Winnie Mashaba, who delivered arguably the best performance of the day. An up-tempo beat always works at such events and she was very conscious of that. Her energy really drove the crowed mad and she was sure to also showcase her vocal prowess during the 60-minutes-long performance.

Queen of gospel Rebecca Malope, Hlengiwe Mhlaba and Sipho ‘Big Fish’ Makhame concluded the festival on a very positive note before ending at 6pm.

After this experience, I’m really looking forward to attending next year’s addition.

Written by: Eddie Hatitye

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Designed to bring you the latest snippets of news and gossip from the South African Gospel Music scene, Gospel Life will also keep you updated on album reviews from your most beloved established Gospel artists, as well as new soon-to-be-favourites.

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