The three-day event is organised by the Christian Friendship Community in a bid to create opportunities for unsigned Christian bands, as well as to raise funds for a soon-to-be opened life skills centre.

Festival organiser, Adrian Styer, says event-goers will be treated to an exhilarating fusion of up-tempo music from all genres of gospel music, as well as small workshops to be conducted by powerful motivational speakers. “It’s a Woodstock style event with camping, bush showers and lots of cool bands and things to do,” says Styer.

“We at the Christian Friendship Community minister largely to people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and our vision is to start a life skills college to help guys coming out of the cycle of addiction to get back on their feet,” adds Styer.

Styer says the Christian Friendship Community is not only trying to attract youth, but would like to see the young and old coming to enjoy a weekend full of music, worship, fellowship, powerful messages and great fun.

Gospel musicians wanting to part of the event can send emails to adi@polka.co.za. A line-up of confirmed bands and dates will be announced soon.

Twala said the movie is in three sections; Rebecca the teenager, a successful Rebecca in her 30s and finally her true self towards the end of the film. He said the movie traces Malope’s journey from her hometown, Nelspruit to Jo’burg, where she is now based.

Once a farm labourer living with an abusive father, Malope followed her music dream to become one of the most celebrated musicians in Africa. Her career started in 1986, when she left her home township of Lekazi and hiked 400 km to Evaton, and finally reached Johannesburg. This brave step launched a personal journey of achievement that now touches millions of people. According to Twala, this will motivate impoverished young girls in South Africa.

“It will show them that if they want something badly they must work hard to make it happen. Rebecca’s is a rags-to-riches story,” he said in an interview with daily newspaper, Sowetan.

Twala, who also produced hits for Brenda Fassie, said filming will take place in Nelspruit, Pretoria, Evaton and Johannesburg.

A new gospel channel aimed at promoting Christianity in South Africa is set to debut on DStv, channel 901 this Valentine’s Day. The eagerly-awaited channel, titled Gospel Music Television (GMTV), will entice gospel music-lovers with an exciting show called Gospel Trumpet.

The 2-hour music show will be presented by popular gospel musician and Pastor, Langa Dube. In addition to writing and performing gospel songs, Dube is also a renowned motivational speaker.

“Having worked with heavyweights like Benjamin Dube, Rebecca Malope, Vuyo Mokoena and Mthunzi Numba, Langa Dube was seen as the perfect man for this job” comments GMTV’s Sane Ndlovu.

Artists with drug and alcohol weaknesses will also find some useful tips on Gospel Trumpet. “Drugs and alcohol have tainted the gospel music industry and in some areas the element of Christianity doesn’t exist. GMTV hopes to help artists to be more responsible, to enjoy greater success and to have a financially secure future.” she adds.

Gospel Trumpet will also be promoting gospel musicians through interviews and covering album launches, gospel music awards and concerts. Viewers can also look forward to movies, documentaries, competitions and other exciting features on the new channel.

Gospel Trumpet will start at 17:30 hrs. For more information, please contact Sane` at Ndlovu-Kazi Communications on 083 4959 127 or sane1@live.co.uk

“It has been said before but it was not said by me. It is not just about singing, but it is also about preaching, leading and living by example” Those who have had the pleasure of seeing this big man float when he sings will confirm that he is an anointed artist.

Siyabulela Maawu will be releasing his 5th album and his first with Bula Music in 2009. The album is titled Iyafuna intliziyo and filled with melodic sounds and sounds that will really make dance for the Lord. The album is produced by one of Bula’s female artists Zodwa Twecu, she also co-produced her album titled My Life. Two young talented people combined their skills, passion for music and love for the Lord and came up with an extremely beautiful album. The diversity in the choice of songs shows that Siya is not in the gospel music scene by mistake.

The song “We adore You” carries so much soul that one cannot help feeling blood rushing through the veins, it makes you want to worship and praise the Lord continuously. “Bula mahlo arona”, is a Sotho song requesting the Lord to open our eyes to see things with the eyes of the spirit, so that we can be able to see the secret of the heavens. The message behind the song “Wosabela” is simple, when we call upon His name, He will always answer because He promised that He will never leave you nor forsake you no matter what kind of situation you are in, His name is Jesus.

The overall message of this album is that there is no other name as beautiful as the name of Jesus. Life with Jesus is complete and makes all things possible when you believe, even the angels praise and honour him always.

Siya is praising and worshiping the Lord the best way he knows how. Other soul stirring songs to look forward to are “Nje ngebhadu”, “Abakholwa Kuye”, “Pula tsa lehlohonolo” and “Victory”.

Rejoice in the Lord with Siya!

For more info please contact: 011 482 3667

Let us look at some of our featured Gospel Events that we, as South Africans, can look forward to.

• Symphonic Gospel – Stellenbosch

22nd – 24th Jan – Oude Libertas Amphitheatre

Gospel Music followers located in Stellenbosch are in for a treat when the Symphonic Gospel arrives in their hometown. Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal style of isicathamiya and mbube has teamed up with international singer/actor Prof. Jimmy Earl Perry in support of his HIV/AIDS awareness project. The concert will also feature artists like New Apostolic Church Cape symphony orchestra and choir, Soli Philander, Rouchelle Liedemann, Janelle Visagie and many more!

• Zion Music Festival – Johannesburg

Sunday 28th Feb – Johannesburg Stadium

Zion Music Festival is the first annual event of many to come to promote Zion music. This music festival will delight some of Johannesburg’s Gospel community with performers like Blessing in Christ, Trust in Christ, Igalatya, Thulani Manana, Religious in Christ, Living Well, Inyonini Mission, Believe in Christ and many more.

• Get ready 2010 – East London

7th- 14th March – River Park Convention Centre

The Get Ready Conference is an annual event held in East London, designed as a tool to focus God’s vision to all His believers. This event draws people from all over the world who are interested in seeing the purpose of God fulfilled in their lives. Come and join us for 8 incredible days and allow God to work in our life.

All tickets for these events can be purchased at www.computicket.com/web

Hlungwani’s passing was described by his father, Pastor Phillip Hlungwani as shocking and painful.

He was also a songwriter and producer who lead the Miracle Valley Ministries in Polokwane and became well-known for his kindness and commitment to God. Those who were close to him described him as an understanding and humble person who would go out of his way to help others.

In the music industry, Hlungwani showed his impressive talent when he started releasing his own gospel music albums. It was through his talent that he got nominated for many South African music awards, including SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards.

Not only was the late involved in Gospel ministries, he also worked with many prominent music producers and artists including Maduvha Madima and house music Mothiba twin brothers, Revolution, who always featured him on their house gospel compositions.

Talking to the other half of Revolution, George, he said Hlungwani was one of the most talented people he had ever worked with. “Jay was a very upfront person, if he didn’t like something, he would say it right away.”

According to George, even words can’t explain the talent Hlungwani imbued. “He was a very humble individual, man of God and successful business man, he concludes.”

Hlungwani was buried in Limpopo Province, Giyani last Friday (06 November 2009). Even though it is not easy to accept that he is no longer with us, let’s cherish the brief time we were given to spend with him. This is a great loss and he will be sorely missed. Let his great music plays on so his soul may rest in peace…

Written by Phathu Ratshilumela