This comes after posters were spotted on the streets of Polokwane in Limpopo advertising the multi-award winning songstress as one of the artist to perform at a planned revival crusade.

Big Fish Music’s marketing director, Bigboy Mlangeni told Sunday Times that the organisers never approached Big Fish Music or Hlengiwe, who had only been booked to perform at Polokwane’s Cosmo Leisure.

“Big Fish Music calls on churches and music promoters to stop using artists’ names for wrong reasons as it is damaging to their careers” he told Sunday Times’s Godfree Mandiwana.

“Hlengiwe takes her fans very seriously and does not make promises that she can’t keep. It is theft to use artist’ names without clearance” he added.

Hlengiwe who is loved by thousand of event goers, started her professional career with Big Fish Music about a 5 years ago. Her debut album Dwala Lami achieved gold status and established her as one of the major driving forces behind South African gospel music.
Based in Kwa-Zulu Natal, the 36 year-old has recently won a South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best South African Contemporary Gospel and a Gospel Crown Award for best Classic Gospel Song.

Written 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