Supported by Old Mutual for the third year running, the concert will feature the three founding members ; Jabu Hlongwane, Lindelani Mkhize and Mthunzi ­Namba, a six-piece band; and a strong choir.

Hlongwane says: “The theme of this year’s concerts is moving people towards worship without losing the normal Joyous feel”. Hlongwane says gospel music lovers can expect to experience the outfit’s original music together with traditional hits, laced with different languages and rhythms.

More importantly, the group will be scouting for new talent in the city. Joyous Celebration’s membership is fluid, changing at least once every two years.

“Our tradition has always been to look for new talent and develop, and nurture it in the country’s biggest gospel music platform – that’s at the heart of what Joyous is all about,” adds Hlongwane.

The auditions will take place from 9am to 3pm on July 29 at the Durban ICC Arena. Members of the public who would like to audition should visit www.joyous.co.za for more details, or they can head along to the venue on the day of the auditions and fill in an application form.

Ticket prices for the concert start at R150 and tickets can be bought at Computicket.

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.

Leaders of the church recently reached an agreement with Neil van Schalkwyk, co-owner of Masincedane Sport Company, which owns the trademark of the instrument. Enoch Mthembu, spokesperson of the church, told reporters early this week that they are now finalising a deal that will see the church benefiting from the instrument.

The vuvuzela, a long, plastic horn that’s become the defining sound of the South African World Cup, is generally believed to have been invented by Prophet Isaiah Shembe in 1910. Mthembu said Shembe church members have been using the instrument in their worship services since the 90s.

The deal is expected to silence a number of people who were also claiming ownership of the instrument. In January this year, Freddie “Saddam” Maake, an avid local football fan, claimed to have made the first vuvuzela in 1965 with a bicycle horn. And on Monday, a Chinese manufacturer called Wu Yijun also said he had been making vuvuzelas for a long time. Yijun said almost 90 percent of the vuvuzelas used in South Africa are made in China.

According to FIFA, the instrument is related to a kudu horn, used to summon African villagers to meetings. The vuvuzela is now a certified global craze, with the cacophony of horns blazing throughout the world.

However, some people think Shembe’s claims are untruthful. In an article published in daily newspaper, Sowetan – the vuvuzela has been in existence long before 1910 – the year the church claims it was first used by Prophet Isaiah Shembe. Apparently, the horn has been used in most southern Africa countries. It is alleged that the vuvuzela was used long ago as a communication tool between tribes and neighbouring villages.

Soweto Gospel Choir’s fifth album, Grace, sticks to the group’s signature sound. The 19-track disk is a spiritual offering that is consciously fashioned to please many audiences. It’s very entertaining, and stands a chance to expand the choir’s musical reach into many cultures of the world.

Released on Shanachie Records, the album is dedicated to one of the choir’s longtime guitarists Joshua Mcineka, who passed away early last year. It’s also their last album under the leadership of co-founder and musical director David Mulovhedzi, who succumbed to cancer in December last year.

Despite the setbacks, the thirty-plus-member choral group recorded a joyful album filled with refreshing messages. They go outside the church to reach out to heathens with secular songs like “Eli”, and return to church with infectious sacred songs like “Prayer for South Africa” and “Ngahlulele” .

The album is mainly acapella and this gives the choir an opportunity to showcase its legendary vocal talent. One of the vocalists Bongani Khumalo, delivers an outstanding vocal performance on the track “Muphulusi”, which incorporates some amazing traditional elements. Sipokazi Nxumalo’s gentle delivery of “Prayer for South Africa” is another standout performance on the album.

The choir also digs into the secular world with a remake of Paul Simon’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. It’s a great effort, they give the song deeper meaning .Other songs to look out for, include “O Nkosi Yam” and “Ngahlulele.”

This is a great album, a must-have for anyone who appreciates good music.

Cover/Art: 3.5/5 | Sound/Technical: 4.5/5 | “I like it factor”: 9/10

Author: Eddie Hatitye

The Potter’s House founder will host a two-day conference dubbed “Back to Beginning”at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg on 19 and 20 March. However, this year’s conference will be smaller than his ever-popular MegaFest, which attracted over 200 000 Christians from the African continent two years ago.

According to the reports, the iconic preacher will also give business tips at a global business summit scheduled for 19 March at the same venue. The summit, which is for anyone who is dedicated to excel in business leadership, provides attendees with opportunities to network with experienced leaders.

Since launching his MegaFest in Atlanta, USA six years ago, TD Jakes has reached out to millions of people across the world. His debut MegaFest drew an overall record-breaking attendance of 560 000, with an economic impact of up to $125 million on the city.

Twice featured on the cover of Time magazine as “America’s Best Preacher” and as one of America’s “25 most influential evangelicals”, Bishop T. D. Jakes leads more than 30,000 members of The Potter’s House in Dallas. He first visited Africa in1995 and since then, he has toured a host of African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and South Africa.

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.